During the Boxing Day Test match between India and Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on December 26, 2024, Indian cricketer Virat Kohli was involved in an on-field incident with Australian debutant Sam Konstas. As Konstas walked down the pitch to consult with his batting partner, Usman Khawaja, Kohli collided with him shoulder-to-shoulder, leading to a brief verbal exchange. Umpire Michael Gough and Khawaja intervened to defuse the situation.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) prohibits inappropriate physical contact under Article 2.12 of its Code of Conduct, which includes deliberate or avoidable physical contact between players. Consequently, Kohli was fined 20% of his match fee and received one demerit point for breaching this code.
Former cricketers criticized Kohli's actions. Ricky Ponting remarked that the batsman owns the crease, especially between overs, implying Kohli was at fault. Michael Vaughan noted that Kohli, an experienced player, was provoked by a 19-year-old, suggesting Kohli should have maintained composure.
Despite the incident, Konstas remained unfazed and continued his impressive performance, scoring 60 runs before being dismissed by Ravindra Jadeja. He downplayed the altercation, attributing it to the natural tension in cricket.
India's assistant coach, Abhishek Nayar, minimized the significance of the event, suggesting that such emotions are natural in high-stakes matches.
Kohli's sanction serves as a reminder of the ICC's commitment to maintaining sportsmanship and discipline on the field, emphasizing that even experienced players are accountable for their actions.
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