India’s Virat Kohli could face a ban after the shoulder collision with Australia’s latest debutant Sam Konstas during the Boxing Day Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 in Melbourne. Legendary Australian captain Ricky Ponting even called Kohli to be the one who started it all.
Both Virat Kohli and Sam Konstas bumped shoulders into each other during the earlier exchanges of the first day of the match. After bumping into each other, both the players had a few words exchanged before the non-strike Usman Khawaja and the umpire got in between to calm things down.
The incident looked ugly and it could result in a few demerit points by the match referee Andy Pycroft if any player is found to be guilty. As a result, Virat Kohli’s participation is in serious danger for the fifth Test in Sydney.
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Virat Kohli could be banned for Sydney Test
According to Cricket Australia, match referee Andy Pycroft is likely to have a look in this incident. If Pycroft considers any of the players guilty, they could be given some demerit points and face a ban in the next match.
According to the ICC Code of Conduct, “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”.
If it results in a Level One offence, it would result in just a fine for the match fees. However, a Level Two offence could would result in three or four demerit points for that particular player. If a player receives four demerit points, he will face a ban in the next Test of the series in Sydney.
Fast bowler Kagiso Rabada was involved in an incident when he made contact with Steve Smith and received three demerit points in a Level Two offence during a high-voltage Test series between South Africa and Australia in 2018. He appealed for it later and his penalty was overturned.
Ricky Ponting slams Virat Kohli
Former Australia skipper Ricky Ponting lashed out at Virat Kohli for deliberately trying to instigate the incident by changing his direction. Ponting defended Sam Konstas by saying that the youngster looked late and wasn’t even aware of anyone around him at that point.
“Virat (Kohli) walked one whole pitch over to his right and instigated that confrontation. No doubt in my mind whatsoever. I have no doubt that the umpires and the referee will have a good look at that,” Ponting said on Channel Seven.
Sam Konstas lights up MCG
Meanwhile, it was a thrilling morning session on Day 1 of the fourth Test as Sam Konstas made a statement with his aggressive brand of cricket. The young debutant attempted some audacious shots early in his innings but the Indian bowlers including Jasprit Bumrah seemed to be on top.
But that didn’t stop Sam Konstas from taking risks and he showed attacking brand by continuing with his high-risk shots. He played scoops and reverse-scoops to derail the line and lengths of the Indian bowlers to put them on the back foot.
Sam Konstas especially targeted Jasprit Bumrah, India’s spearhead and the best bowler of the series, and forced Rohit Sharma to take him off early. Bumrah didn’t get any wickets in his opening spell this time. Konstas was finally dismissed by the left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja for a 65-ball-60. He struck 6 fours and 2 sixes during his knock.
