Indian batting legend Virat Kohli has been penalized for his recent clash with Australian debutant Sam Konstas during the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne. Kohli was involved in an ugly shoulder clash with Konstas during the first day of the Test match.
The encounter looked ugly in the first place as both batsmen were seen exchanging some verbal volleys with each other. A penalty kick was expected from match referee Andy Beecroft and it turned out to be correct.
Read also: Sam Constas is facing vicious online abuse after a physical altercation with Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli punished for confrontation with Sam Konstas
According to Cricbuzz, Virat Kohli was fined 20 percent of his match fee for his clash with Sam Konstas. Kohli admitted the offense by match referee Andy Beecroft and did not appeal the decision. Kohli was also given just one demerit point.
After hearing from match referee Andy Beecroft, Kohli admitted to the offense and was charged 20 per cent of his match fee for an altercation with Sam Konstas. #INDvsAUS #BoxingDayTest https://t.co/2CevHkOVHe
– Vijay Tagore (@vijaymirror) December 26, 2024
If there are four minus points, the player can be banned from the next match. As a result, Kohli does not face any suspension, which will come as a huge relief for India.
What are the rules for making contact during a match?
It should be noted that cricket is not a contact sport, and there are rules for making physical contact within the game. Article 2.12 of the Code of Conduct states:
“Any form of inappropriate physical contact is prohibited in cricket. Without limitation, players will be in violation of this regulation if they intentionally or recklessly and/or negligently walk into, collide with, or carry over another player or umpire.
“In assessing the seriousness of the violation, the following factors must be taken into account (but not limited to): (1) the context of the particular situation, including, but not limited to, whether the communication was intentional (i.e. intentional), reckless, or negligent and/or avoidable; (ii) the force of the contact; (iii) any resulting injury to the person contacted;
What was the incident that occurred between Virat Kohli and Sam Konstas?
The whole incident happened after the end of the 10th over in Australia's first innings on the first day of the Boxing Day Test. After half-time, Konstas was looking at the field and Kohli walked towards him with the ball in his hand.
The 36-year-old even changed directions to move towards Konstas. Kohli and Konstas bumped shoulders as they walked past each other.
Kohli stopped and looked at Konstas for a few seconds before launching some verbal blows at him. Konstas did not stop himself and responded when his striking partner Usman Khawaja tried to calm things down by clashing between them.
Even the referee had to intervene to calm things down later. It should be noted that Sam Konstas was earlier Virat Kohli's role model. This incident will remain engraved in his memory for a long time.