BGT 2024-25: Virat Kohli punished by ICC for altercation with Sam Konstas

Virat Kohli was involved in a altercation with debutant Sam Konstas on first day of the Boxing Day test.

Sam Konstas made headlines for multiple reasons during the first day of the fourth Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 test in Melbourne. Replacing out-of-form Nathan McSweeney, the 19-year-old New South Wales batter scored 60 off 65 balls to drive Australia on the front foot.

Konstas’ innings was full of entertainment as the young Australian opener ramped Jasprit Bumrah three times in a single over. He also broke Bumrah’s four-year streak of not conceding a six in test cricket.

Konstas then grabbed more headlines following a physical altercation between him and veteran Indian batter Virat Kohli during the first day of the Melbourne test. The incident occurred at the end of the 10th over when Kohli bumped shoulders with the Australian debutant, sparking a heated exchange between the two players.

Following the incident, fans and critics took to social media to share their views. The International Cricket Council (ICC) has now issued its decision on the matter.

Virat Kohli punished by ICC for altercation with Sam Konstas

Kohli, for his actions, was found guilty of breaching Article 2.12 of the ICC Code of Conduct and has been fined 20 percent of his match fee along with receiving one demerit point.

According to the ICC, Kohli’s shoulder bump with Konstas constituted a Level 1 offense. The decision was made based on reports filed by the on-field umpires Joel Wilson and Michael Gough, third umpire Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid, and fourth umpire Shawn Craig.

Kohli has accepted the sanctions, which means there would be no formal hearing on this matter.

India and Australia Playing XIs for the Boxing Day test

India: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Akash Deep, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj.

Australia: Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon and Scott Boland.

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