India's Virat Kohli could face suspension after a shoulder collision with Australian debutant Sam Konstas during the Boxing Day Test of the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Melbourne. Legendary Australian captain Ricky Ponting even called Kohli the one who started it all.
Virat Kohli and Sam Konstas collided with each other during the previous exchanges on the first day of the match. After colliding with each other, the two players exchanged a few words before offspinner Usman Khawaja and the umpire intervened to calm things down.
The incident looked ugly and could result in the loss of a few points by match referee Andy Beecroft if any player was found guilty. As a result, Virat Kohli's participation is in serious jeopardy for the fifth Test in Sydney.
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Virat Kohli may be banned from the Sydney Test
According to Cricket Australia, match referee Andy Beecroft is likely to take a look at the incident. If either player is deemed guilty by Beecroft, they may be awarded some demerit points and face a ban in the next match.
According to the ICC Code of Conduct, “Any form of inappropriate physical contact is prohibited in cricket. Without limitation, players will be in breach of this regulation if they intentionally, recklessly and/or negligently walk into, collide with or carry another player or umpire “.
If this results in a Level 1 offence, this will result in a fine only for the match fee. However, a second-level offense can result in three or four penalty points for that particular player. If a player gets four demerit points, he will face a ban in the next Test of the series in Sydney.
Fast bowler Kagiso Rabada was involved in an incident when he made contact with Steve Smith and was given three demerit points for a second-level offense during the high-stakes Test series between South Africa and Australia in 2018. He later appealed this and had his punishment overturned.
Ricky Ponting criticizes Virat Kohli
Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting criticized Virat Kohli for deliberately trying to instigate the incident by changing direction. Ponting defended Sam Constas by saying that the youngster appeared to be running late and was unaware of anyone around him at that stage.
“Virat (Kohli) walked the entire field to his right and caused that tackle. There is no doubt in my mind at all. I have no doubt that the umpires and the umpire will take a hard look at that,” Ponting told Channel 7.
Sam Konstas lights up the MCG
Meanwhile, it was an exciting morning session on the first day of the fourth Test as Sam Konstas made a statement with his aggressive brand of cricket. The young debutant tried to play some bold shots early in his innings, but the Indian bowlers including Jasprit Bumrah seemed to be ahead.
But this did not stop Sam Konstas from taking risks and he showed attacking strength by continuing to hit high-risk shots. He played reverse scoops and scoops to derail the line and lengths of the Indian bowlers and put them on the back foot.
Sam Konstas particularly targeted Jasprit Bumrah, the Indian spearhead and best bowler of the series, and forced Rohit Sharma to dismiss him early. Bumrah did not take any wickets in his opening spell this time. Konstas was finally dismissed by left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja for a 65-ball 60. He hit 6 fours and sixes during his knock.