Virat Kohli is likely to avoid a suspension following his altercation with Test debutant Sam Konstas at the MCG on Boxing Day.
The 19-year-old opener enjoyed a memorable start to his first Test, bringing up a half-century before being dismissed for lbw by Ravindra Jadeja for 60 runs.
There was, though, an unsavoury moment during the first innings in which Kohli appeared to bump his shoulder into the New South Wales batter as he walked back to his crease.
Match referee Andy Pycroft moved quickly to punish Kohli for the incident reportedly deeming it to be a Level One offence.
Kohli had appeared to change direction of his walk towards Konstas, who hadn’t been aware of the ex-India captain’s presence.
According to journalist Tom Morris, Kohli had ‘accepted a 20 per cent match fee penalty for physical contact with Sam Konstas.’
Pictured: The moment Virat Kohli slams his shoulder into Sam Konstas as the 19-year-old raced to a stunning 60 on debut in the Boxing Day Test
Kohli (second from right) had been seen walking towards Konstas before the shoulder charge happened
The ex-India captain then bumped into Konstas on the edge of the wicket, sparking a heated exchange
He will now receive one demerit point following the altercation.
Had the referee deemed it to be a Level Two breach of the ICC’s code of conduct regarding inappropriate physical behaviour, Kohli could have been suspended for the New Year’s Test in Sydney, after being handed either three or four demerit points.
It comes as Kagiso Rabada was banned for a similar incident in 2018, in which the South African bowler bumped into Steve Smith with his shoulder during a follow-through after he had dismissed the Aussie batter for lbw.
Rabada copped three demerit points for the incident taking him over the threshold for a suspension. His penalty was later overturned on appeal.
Indian coach Abhishek Nayar was pressed on the incident after the match stating that he ‘was not aware. I’m not sure yet, but once I am aware I will let you know.’
While he claimed he missed the incident, he added: ‘It was not as big as it seems.’
‘But you know, when you play a game like that, there’s always going to be emotions. But I’m pretty sure that it’s not as big as it seems.’
Konstas, meanwhile, said to Fox Cricket: ‘Whatever happens on the field stays on the field.’
Journalist Tom Morris stated that Virat Kohli had accepted a 20 per cent match fee penalty
Konstas (left) exchanged angry words with Kohli (second from right) after the clash
He also claimed that it was an accident.
‘I was just doing my gloves, and I think he accidentally bumped me. That’s just cricket (and) the tension,” the Australian debutant said.
But other cricket pundits were not convinced by his comments, with Ricky Ponting and Alyssa Healy slamming Kohli for the move.
‘Virat walked one whole pitch over to his right and instigated that confrontation,’ Ponting said during Channel Seven’s live broadcast. ‘No doubt in my mind whatsoever.
‘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.
‘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.’
The incident has the scope to spark even more controversy, a week after India had feuded with Australian journalists after refusing to answer questions in English during a press conference.
Healy, meanwhile, said that the moment was a bad image for Kohli, addign that the Indian superstar appeared to make a beeline for the young Aussie batter.
Kohli could have been handed a much more severe penalty if his bump had been deemed to be over the threshold for a Level Two offence
Konstas, meanwhile, enjoyed an excellent day with the bat in hand, being dismissed for 60
Fans took to X to vent their frustration at Kohli’s lenient sanction following his bump on Konstas
‘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,’ Healy told Fox.
‘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.’
The sanction has also copped much criticism online, with some fans hitting out at the lenient punishment.
‘Is that it? Games gone,’ one wrote on X. Another added: ‘Of course he gets off lightly!’
‘Should be more,’ said another, while one wrote: ‘Different set of rules for India.’
‘How is it graded Level One?! The lowest grading for intentional physical contact is Level Two. Which is a 50-100 per cent match fee or a match.’
Kohli, meanwhile, has been slammed by some online for the incident, with one fan calling him ‘pathetic’.
‘If the ICC don’t give Virat a holiday with his family in Sydney then we might as well pack up our bat and ball and go home,’ one fan wrote on X.
‘Changed his line and showed the world the kid has rattled him & his team. Such a shame as the kid absolutely idolizes Kohli.
‘“Never meet your hero”,’ he added.