New Delhi: The International Cricket Council could review the mid-pitch shoulder barge between India’s Virat Kohli and Australia debutant Sam Konstas on the opening day of the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne on Thursday.
Konstas scooped and ramped Jasprit Bumrah on way to a half century on his debut Test innings, becoming the second youngest batter to reach fifty for Australia.
The 19-year-old grabbed the initiative in the opening hour of the fourth Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, leaving India scratching their heads. As the India bowlers struggled to breakthrough, Kohli decided to indulge in some gamesmanship to disrupt Konstas’ rhythm.
He and Konstas walked into each other, and bumped shoulder to shoulder before engaging in an altercation. Konstas’ opening partner Usman Khawaja intervened in an attempt to calm tensions, putting his arm around Kohli.
Virat Kohli and Sam Konstas exchanged a heated moment on the MCG. #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/QL13nZ9IGI
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 26, 2024
Even umpire Michael Gough also tried to speak sense to both the players as neither Konstas nor Kohli were willing to take a backward step during the incident.
Their refusal to back down could compel match referee Andy Pycroft to look into the incident. If he views the incident inappropriate, then the players could be reprimanded and receive demerit points.
“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,” ICC’s code of conduct states.
‘Kohli at fault’
“Whatever happens on the field stays on the field,” Konstas told Fox Cricket on the incident at a drinks break.
Former Australia skipper Ricky Ponting found Kohli to be at fault over the incident and should be asked to explain his conduct.
“Virat walked one whole pitch over to his right and instigated that confrontation. No doubt in my mind whatsoever,” Ponting told Channel Seven.
“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.”
“Both will be pulled up for this incident,” former India captain Sunil Gavaskar told Star Sports.
Virat Kohli and Sam Konstas walked into each other, bumping shoulder to shoulder before engaging in an altercation on the opening day of the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
