The International Cricket Council (ICC) is likely to review an incident involving Virat Kohli and debutant Sam Konstas during the first morning of the Boxing Day Test. Test cricket legend Ricky Ponting believes Kohli was responsible for the altercation.
India s Australia 4th Test Live
Ponting stated that Kohli initiated the physical contact with Konstas between overs. The incident occurred in the first session of the fourth Test in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
The encounter resembled a scene from an Australian Rules football game. The two players bumped into each other and exchanged words.
Usman Khawaja, Konstas’s opening partner, intervened to de-escalate the situation. Umpire Michael Gough also stepped in to mediate.
Neither player backed down during the exchange.
“Virat walked one whole pitch over to his right and instigated that confrontation. No doubt in my mind whatsoever,” said Ponting in commentary.
Ponting expressed his certainty on Channel Seven that the umpires and match referee would review the incident. He emphasised that fielders should maintain a distance from batters between overs.
“I have no doubt that the umpires and the referee will have a good look at that. Fielders should be nowhere near the batsman at that stage. Every fieldsman on the ground knows where the batsmen will congregate and get together.”
He pointed out that Konstas appeared unaware of Kohli’s presence until the last moment.
“It looked to me that Konstas looked up really late, wouldn’t even know anyone is in front of him. That man on-screen there (Kohli) might have a few questions to answer.”
Match referee Andy Pycroft is expected to examine the incident. The ICC Code of Conduct prohibits any inappropriate physical contact. Players can breach this regulation through deliberate, reckless, or negligent actions.
A Level Two offence could result in three or four demerit points. Four points would lead to a suspension for the New Year’s Test in Sydney. A Level One offence would likely result in a fine.
Kagiso Rabada’s contact with Steve Smith during the 2018 South Africa-Australia Test series initially earned him three demerit points. This penalty was later overturned on appeal.
The contact between Kohli and Konstas appeared more forceful than the Rabada-Smith incident.
“Whatever happens on the field stays on the field,” was Konstas’s only comment on the incident when speaking to Fox Cricket during a drinks break.
Previously, Konstas had expressed admiration for Kohli. After his maiden Sheffield Shield century in October, he mentioned Kohli as one of three individuals he would have dreamt of receiving a congratulatory text from.
Alyssa Healy, the Australian women’s cricket captain, criticised Kohli’s actions. She believed Kohli targeted the youngest member of the Australian team.
“I think it’s more disappointing than anything else that your experienced player, one of your best players in the country, has quite visibly made a beeline for the youngest player in the opposition.”
She also noted that the incident did not appear to affect Konstas. “It doesn’t really set the greatest of tone for your side but if that’s the way the Indian team want to approach it then so be it, but it didn’t rattle Kontas one bit.”
Both Ricky Ponting and former Test umpire Simon Taufel believe neither player will face suspension though. “We don’t want to see any physical contact during the game. It tends to get out-of-control.”
Taufel acknowledged the heightened emotions of the game. He also noted that both players stood their ground. “A lot of adrenaline flowing. Sam Konstas holding his ground. Virat Kohli did the same thing. It’s something out of nothing. We don’t want to see it continue.”
He suggested the incident would be reviewed later, possibly during a lunch break or at the end of the day’s play. “It’s something they’ll have a look at during maybe a lunch break or even at the end of the day’s play.”
Taufel predicted that the incident would likely be overlooked. He suggested letting the players express themselves without further consequences. “I tend to think they’ll let that one go. That’s my view at this stage. Let the players say what they want to say. Get a few things off their chest. At times if it goes further, they’ll probably let that one slide.”