Virat Kohli fined for on-field incident with Australian debutant Sam Konstas
Australia's Sam Konstas (L) and India's Virat Kohli (R) bumped shoulders during the fourth Test in Melbourne, AFP
The incident occurred during the first session when Kohli was seen making shoulder contact with the 19-year-old batter.
Kohli met with match referee Andy Pycroft for a brief 10-minute hearing, where he admitted to breaching the ICC Code of Conduct. He was charged with a Level 1 offence, the mildest penalty for physical contact during play.
Speculation had arisen that Kohli might face a one-match ban for what seemed like deliberate contact. Such actions are typically classified as Level 2 offences, which can result in three or four demerit points.
Accumulating four demerit points within 24 months can lead to a suspension for one Test or two limited-overs matches. However, Kohli received just one demerit point for the Boxing Day incident.
The clash occurred during a break between the 10th and 11th overs of Australia’s innings, as Konstas and Usman Khawaja were switching ends. Kohli walked toward Konstas and collided with him. Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting, commentating at the time, suggested the contact was deliberate.
However, replays revealed a different perspective. While Kohli appeared aware of his trajectory, it was Konstas, focused on adjusting his gloves with his head down, who unintentionally walked into Kohli.
