Virat Kohli and an Australian youth Konstas himself The two were involved in a brawl on Thursday which saw the Indian superstar fined 20 per cent of his match fee and given a demerit point, although the 19-year-old debutant ruled it an accidental hit. The brief encounter occurred after the 10th over of the Australian innings on the opening day of the fourth Test here as the players switched sides. Kohli and Constas bumped shoulders as they moved down the field in a throw-in initiated by the traveling star.
Kohli was eventually charged with breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct by on-field umpires Joel Wilson and Michael Gough, third umpire Sharfuddula Ibne Shahid and fourth umpire Sean Craig. He accepted the sanctions proposed by match referee Andy Pycroft at the end of the match day.
“Virat Kohli was fined 20 percent of his match fee and given one demerit point for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct,” the ICC said in a statement.
“No formal hearing was required as Kohli accepted the sanctions proposed by match referee Andy Pycroft,” it added.
After physical contact, both players quickly turned to look at each other and began a heated exchange of words in front of Constas’ teammate. Usman Khawaja intervened to separate them. The on-field umpires also spoke to the two and the situation calmed down fairly quickly.
Speaking to reporters after the mishap, Constas said Kohli bumped into him but it was unintentional.
“I was just putting on my gloves and I think he accidentally touched me. I think it’s just cricket and it can happen under pressure,” the teenager said.
“I think the emotions got to both of us,” Constas told Channel 7 during the second session.
The ICC Code of Conduct states that “any form of inappropriate physical contact is prohibited in cricket. Among other things, players will be in violation of this rule if they intentionally, recklessly and/or carelessly walk, bump into, or shoulder another player or referee.”
Kohli’s fee for the game was supposed to be Rs 15 lakh, but due to the fine, the amount was reduced to Rs 12 lakh. This is the first penalty point Kohli has scored since 2019. Four demerit points over two years resulted in one test being disqualified.
Konstas, who was batting 27 at the time, continued to bat Jasprit Bumrah for two boundaries and a six in the next over.
The teenager scored a stunning fifty on his debut. Ravindra Jadeja caught him with his foot in front of the gate.
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