Indian cricket superstar Virat Kohli has been fined 20% of his match fee following a mid-pitch altercation with Australia’s 19-year-old debutant Sam Konstas during the first session of the ongoing Boxing Day Test match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). However, the former India captain has escaped a match suspension, something that was previously Indian fans feared. In addition to getting his match fee deducted, Kohli has also received one demerit point as well.
Boxing Day Test: Virat Kohli receives 20% fine
The incident occurred after the 10th over of the morning session when Kohli and Konstas were involved in a physical bump near the pitch. Konstas, who had turned from the crease and was heading towards the other end, crossed paths with Kohli, who appeared to veer off course and walk directly towards him while tossing the ball in his hand. The two collided, exchanging heated words immediately after. The situation escalated until Australian opener Usman Khawaja and on-field umpire Michael Gough stepped in to calm things down.
Television replays showed Kohli’s path across the pitch, which led to discussions about whether the contact was intentional or accidental. While opinions were divided, the ICC stepped in and charged Kohli for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct, specifically for making physical contact with an opponent. Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting also blamed Kohli for forcing an altercation.
The incident has sparked a huge debate among cricket fans, with some criticising Kohli’s actions as unnecessary aggression, while others defended him as a fiercely competitive player who thrives on intensity. Social media was abuzz with reactions, as fans from both sides shared their views on the matter. As for Konstas, he did the damage. The debutant wreaked havoc, that too, against Jasprit Bumrah, shellacking a quick 60 to set up a platform for the hosts. Steve Smith (68*) and Pat Cummins (31*) walked back to the pavilion after the stumps, with Australia’s score read 311/6 after winning the toss.
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