Team India's star batter Virat Kohli has been fined 20% of his match fees for his shoulder-barge incident with Australian opener Sam Konstas on day one of the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). With the 36-year-old making physical contact with the youngster, a demerit point has also been imposed.
The incident had occurred after the tenth over of the innings as Konstas and Kohli were walking in the opposite directions and came in contact with one another. After the 36-year-old Indian batter shoulder-barged him, the two exchanged some words, causing Usman Khawaja and the on-field umpire to intervene.
Meanwhile, here's what the ICC Code of Conduct says:
"Any form of inappropriate physical contact is prohibited in cricket. Without limitation, players will breach this regulation if they deliberately, recklessly and/or negligently walk or run into or shoulder another player or umpire. When assessing the seriousness of the breach, the following factors (without limitation) shall be taken into account: (i) the context of the particular situation, including, without limitation, whether the contact was deliberate (i.e. intentional), reckless, negligent, and/or avoidable; (ii) the force of the contact; (iii) any resulting injury to the person with whom contact was made; and (iv) the person with whom contact was made."
"Virat walked one whole pitch over to his right and instigated that confrontation" - Ricky Ponting
Meanwhile, former Australian captain Ricky Ponting observed that Konstas hardly could've known if anyone was coming in front of him and believes Kohli was solely responsible for the incident.
"Virat walked one whole pitch over to his right and instigated that confrontation. 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, and wouldn't even know anyone was in front of him."
With the 19-year-old New South Welshman hammering 60 off only 65 balls, it gave Australia exactly the start they wanted. The hosts eventually finished on 311/6 at Stumps.
