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MELBOURNE. — India’s Virat Kohli has been fined 20 percent of his match fees following a clash of shoulders with debutant Australia opener Sam Konstas in the Boxing Day test between the sides in Melbourne yesterday.
Kohli was booed by the crowd at the Melbourne Cricket Ground after bumping into the 19-year-old as Konstas walked down the pitch for a chat with opening partner Usman Khawaja at the end of the 10th over on the opening day of the fourth test.
Kohli and Konstas turned to face each other and exchanged words, prompting umpire Michael Gough and Khawaja to step in to defuse the moment.
Match referee Andy Pycroft found Kohli guilty of breaching the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) code of conduct relating to “inappropriate physical contact”.
“No formal hearing was needed as Kohli accepted the sanctions proposed by match referee Andy Pycroft,” the ICC said in a statement.
Kohli also incurred one demerit point but is free to play the fifth and final test in Sydney.
Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting, who was covering the game for host broadcaster Seven Network, said veteran batsman Kohli was clearly the offender.
“That man (Kohli) might have a few questions to answer,” Ponting said.
“When you’re out there batting, the batsman owns the wicket. The crease is his. Especially between overs like that.”
Former England captain Michael Vaughan also put the blame on 36-year-old Kohli.
“Virat Kohli is such an experienced pro, being wound up by a 19 (year old),” the Fox Cricket pundit said.
“It’s Virat that walks into Sam.”
Konstas, who replaced the dropped Nathan McSweeney in the side, appeared unruffled by the clash, smashing Jasprit Bumrah for four on the next delivery and hitting a six over the Indian pace spearhead’s head on the way to 18 runs from the over — Reuters.
Online Reporter