Virat Kohli and Sam Konstas exchanged some heated words. | (Credits: Twitter)
Team India’s star batter Virat Kohli could face significant consequences after shoulder barging Australian opener Sam Konstas on day one of the fourth Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). According to the ICC rules, the gesture from Kohli likely comes under ‘unacceaptable conduct’ and falls into the category of Level 2 offences.
The incident occurred after the tenth over of the innings as Kohli, with the ball, was walking past Konstas and made a contact with his shoulder. Kohli and Konstas also exchanged some words, causing Usman Khawaja and the umpire to intervene, thereby stopping the incident from escalating any further.
As per the ICC rules, ‘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.”
Level 2 offences carry a penalty of three to four demerit points, carrying following punishments:
50% to 100% match fee fine or 1 suspension point for three demerit points
Two suspension points for four demerit points
Sam Konstas was eventually dismissed by Ravindra Jadeja
Meanwhile, the 19-year-old New South Welshman eventually fell to Ravindra Jadeja, who trapped him lbw with the ball that went straight through the arm. However, the right-handed batter has left a real mark on the game, rattling the new ball pair of Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, getting to his half-century in 52 balls.
With Australian captain Pat Cummins winning his first toss of the series, the 31-year-old elected to bat first at the MCG. Australia made two changes to their eleven, bringing in Konstas and Scott Boland for Nathan McSweeney and Josh Hazlewood. India, meanwhile, triggered one change, playing Washington Sundar for Shubman Gill.
