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Virat Kohli could be in trouble after shoulder barging Sam Konstas on the opening day of the Melbourne Test between India and Australia.
Virat Kohli (right) in a heated exchange with Sam Konstas. (AP Photo)
Virat Kohli faces a potential one-Test ban for shoulder-barging Australian debutant Sam Konstas on the opening day of the fourth Test that got underway in Melbourne on Thursday. Konstas, who made a memorable half-century, confronted Kohli after the latter shouldered him while walking besides the pitch.
The incident resulted in a heated exchange between the two opponents before Usman Khawaja and on-field Michael Gough intervened.
Depending on how the match referee Andy Pycroft interprets the incident, it’s possible that the guilty party could face sanctions including a one-Test ban should it be deemed a Level Two offence.
As per the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, the incident falls under Law 2.12 which deals with “Inappropriate physical contact with a Player, Player Support Personnel, Umpire, Match Referee or any other person (including a spectator) during an International Match.”
As per the law, “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. When assessing the seriousness of the breach, the following factors (without limitation) shall be taken into account: (i) the context of the particular situation, including, without limitation, whether the contact was deliberate (i.e. intentional), reckless, negligent, and/or avoidable; (ii) the force of the contact; (iii) any resulting injury to the person with whom contact was made; and (iv) the person with whom contact was made.”
If it’s considered a Level 2 offence, the player guilty of initiating the contact will get three or four demerit points. Should either of the two players be slapped with four demerit points, it could result in suspension for the next Test slated to be held in Sydney.
However, a Level 1 offence will only result in financial penalty.
Australia legend Ricky Ponting feels that it was Kohli who instigated the confrontation. “Virat walked one whole pitch over to his right and instigated that confrontation. No doubt in my mind whatsoever,” Ponting said on Channel Seven.
