Virat Kohli's conduct came under the microscope in the Boxing Day test in Melbourne on Thursday after a clash of shoulders with teen debutant Sam Konstas but the incident did little to knock the Australian wonder boy off his stride.
Cricket's governing body fined Indian batting superstar Virat Kohli 20% of his match fee for deliberately bumping shoulders with young Australian batsman Sam Konstas in the fourth test.
Virat Kohli bro come on Sam Konstas is a 19 year old debutant. Show some class and respect towards him.
— 𝐉𝐨𝐝 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐚𝐧𝐞 (@jod_insane) December 26, 2024
This is unnecessary. Kohli is bringing shame to this beautiful game.😥
pic.twitter.com/MNilzwQfCg
The Indian veteran made forceful contact with the 19-year-old debutant after Konstas belted the bowlers around the Melbourne Cricket Ground on his way to a blistering 60 off 65 balls.
Unreal unreal !!!!!!!
19 year old Sam Konstas ramps prime Bumrah for 4 and next ball for 6. And another one 4 in a over.
He is destined for greatness.
What a player. Balls of steel.#AUSvsINDpic.twitter.com/GeaZfE3GBw
— 𝐀𝐥𝐥 𝐀𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐀𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐚 🦘🇦🇺 (@AdvocateMessi) December 26, 2024
It sparked a heated exchange between the pair in the first session, with Konstas' fellow opener Usman Khawaja and umpire Michael Gough intervening.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) announced on Thursday that Kohli "has been fined 20% of his match fee and awarded one demerit point for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct".
By hitting sixes to Bumrah over the third man, Sam Konstas has taken over the Indian Bowling Line up. Also pumping up the enthusiastic MCG Crowd.
— Umar Khan 🏏 (@ukazmi11) December 26, 2024
Amazing 50 on Debut. #SamKonstas #BoxingDayTest pic.twitter.com/BV9c8gYzdh
The code relates to "inappropriate physical contact with a player, player support personnel, umpire, match referee or any other person (including a spectator during an international match," the ICC said in a statement.
"No formal hearing was needed as Kohli accepted the sanctions proposed by match referee Andy Pycroft," it added.
Kohli, who is considered one of the best batters of this generation, was criticised by many for his on-field actions.
"Virat walked one whole pitch over to his right and instigated that confrontation," Ricky Ponting said on Australia's Channel Seven. "No doubt in my mind whatsoever.
"I have no doubt that the umpires and the referee will have a good look at that."
Former India coach Ravi Shastri called Kohli's actions "absolutely unnecessary".
"Virat's a senior player, he's been captain... he'll have his own explanations with regards to that, but it's one thing you don't want to see," he said on Fox Sports.
"One person who will be watching, his eyes locked into the proceedings, is (match referee) Andy Pycroft."
Ex-England captain Michael Vaughan, also on commentary duties in Australia, said Kohli "completely acted wrong".
"I don't know why a senior pro who's played for so long... why's he's been rattled by a 19-year-old. Sam Konstas did absolutely nothing wrong there," he added.
Konstas, called into the side after Nathan McSweeney was axed, played down the incident in a post-match news conference.
"I was just doing my gloves and I think he accidentally bumped me. But that's just cricket, the tension," said the teenager, Australia's youngest-ever opener.