Superstar cricketer Virat Kohli might have landed himself in some trouble with a scuffle with 19-year-old Sam Konstas on the first day of the highly awaited Boxing Day Test between Australia and India on Thursday, 26 December. The former Indian captain seemed to bump purposely into the young opener, who had been taking the attack to the Indian fast bowlers after Australia had won the toss and elected to bat in Melbourne.
During the interval of the 10th and the 11th overs of the Australian innings, Sam Konstas and Usman Khawaja were changing ends when Kohli walked towards the young batter and collided with him. Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting, who was on commentary at that time, remarked that he believed Kohli had made a deliberate contact.
Replays show that Kohli was under full cognizance of his trajectory, while an oblivious Sam Konstas, head down adjusting his gloves, inattentively walked into the Indian batter. “Have a look where Virat walks. Virat has walked one whole pitch over to his right and instigated that confrontation. No doubt in my mind whatsoever,” Ricky Ponting told 7Cricket.
The “inappropriate and direct physical contact with another player,” according to the Melbourne Cricket Club (MCC), guardians of the legislation of the game, is a Level 2 offence. That falls under chapter 42.1 of the MCC laws –
According to the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), the custodians of the laws of the game, “making inappropriate and deliberate physical contact with another player” constitutes a Level 2 offence. This falls under chapter 42.1 of the MCC laws – Unacceptable Conduct: On-field umpires.
In the case where a report is intended to be made, the umpire must write about the players they believe have breached the code of conduct, following which the match referee makes the final decision.
If both the umpires and the match referees find the contact made by Kohli to be intentional, it could cause him serious punishment by the International Cricket Council (ICC).
A Level 2 offence is subject to a penalty of three to four demerit points with related punishment as follows: 50% to 100% fine on the match fee or 1 suspension point for three demerit points. two suspension points for four demerit points.
The demotion point shall remain in the record of the player for a period of 24 months.
If Kohli receives an award of four demerit points from the match referee, he will be entitled to suspension – either for one Test or two limited-overs matches. This would mean that Kohli stands a chance of missing the fifth Test in Sydney, which begins on 3 January.
The Indian team management or Kohli himself can appeal against any sanctions imposed.
Significantly, Kagiso Rabada of South Africa had first been awarded three demerit points for the contact his shoulder had with that of Steve Smith in the year 2018. But that sanction that Rabada had depends on appeal.
