Virat Kohli could face punishment for the altercation if found in violation of the International Cricket Council’s code of conduct after deliberately shouldering 19-year-old Test debutant Sam Konstas on the opening day of the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
Sam Konstas provided a spectacle at the MCG in the first session, hitting his maiden half-century with ramp shots and charging sixes. He lap-scooped, reverse-lapped Bumrah, he backed away to smash Mohammad Siraj en route to a thrill-a-ball half century. He was eventually dismissed LBW by Ravindra Jadeja for a memorable 65-ball 60.
After the 10th over of the match, Virat Kohli, a former captain, cut across from his initial position on the leg side of play, with the ball in his hand, walked beside the pitch where Sam Konstas was returning back from the other end. And the shoulder barge happened. Konstas and Kohli would exchange words, before Usman Khawaja came in with a smile and put a hand over Kohli’s shoulders.
Virat Kohli and Sam Konstas exchanged a heated moment on the MCG. #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/QL13nZ9IGI
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 26, 2024
Who said what?
Former Australia opener and coach Justin Langer said the contact was a poor look for the game.
“We don’t like seeing that in any cricket,” Langer said during commentary for the Seven Network.
“There’ll be plenty said about this.”
Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting said Kohli could be in some trouble for the contact.
“I have no doubt that the umpires and the referee will have a good look at that. We’ve seen a few angles. [Fielders] should be nowhere near the batsman at that stage,” he said on the Seven Network.
“Every fieldsman knows where the batsmen will congregate and get together. It looked to me that Konstas looked up late; he wouldn’t have known anyone is in front of him.
India’s Virat Kohli, right, talks to Australia’s Sam Konstas, second left, as Australia’s Usman Khawaja, looks on during play on the first day of the fourth cricket test between Australia and India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia. (AP)
Match referee Andy Pycroft is certain to look at the incident.
The ICC’s Code of Conduct states that “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”.
“It shows Virat Kohli actually changing his line to get into the personal space of Sam Konstas,” Simon Taufel, the five-time umpire of the year, said on the Seven Network.
“There’s a clause with the ICC code of conduct that talks about inappropriate physical contact. That’s the clause that the umpires and the referee will be looking at the close of play today. To see whether or not Virat’s actions went into that category.
“My suggestion would be they’ll be looking at that seriously and likely do something about that now.”
Former England captain Michael Vaughan also said Kohli was to blame for the collision, highlighting the incident seemed to show India had been rattled.
“He’s completely acted wrong,” Vaughan said during the break.
“I don’t know why a senior pro who’s played for so long – he’s a King – why’s he’s been rattled by a 19-year-old. Sam Konstas did absolutely nothing wrong there. Virat veered towards him.
“You can’t do that, you’re just not allowed to do that.”
Kerry O’Keeffe agreed with Vaughan.
“Kohli has built his whole career on arrogance. Suddenly he identified that in a debutant, and he seemed to resent it. “I think he’s in trouble.”
Australian women’s captain Alyssa Healy said that Kohli’s actions weren’t in the best interests of his side.
“(It’s) probably more disappointing than anything else that an experienced player, one of your best players in the country, is quite visibly looking at the wider picture and made a beeline for the youngest player on the opposition,” Healy explained.
“It doesn’t really set the greatest tone for your side, but if that’s one way the Indian team wants to approach it, so be it.
“It didn’t rattle him one bit.”
If the ICC don’t give Virat a holiday with his family in Sydney then we might as well pack up our bat and ball and go home. Changed his line and showed the world the kid has rattled him & his team. Such a shame as the kid absolutely idolizes Kohli.
“ Never meet your hero ” 😢— Darren Berry (@ChuckBerry1969) December 26, 2024
Darren Berry, former Victoria cricket captain wrote on X: “If the ICC don’t give Virat a holiday with his family in Sydney then we might as well pack up our bat and ball and go home. Changed his line and showed the world the kid has rattled him & his team. Such a shame as the kid absolutely idolizes Kohli. Never meet your hero.”
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