India's cricket superstar Virat Kohli was fined 20% of his match fee and handed one demerit point by the ICC on Thursday following an on-field altercation with Australia's debutant, Sam Konstas, during the first day of the fourth Test in Melbourne.
The incident took place in the 10th over of Australia's innings when Kohli and the 19-year-old Konstas bumped shoulders and exchanged words before being separated by Australia opener Usman Khawaja and the on-field umpires, Joel Wilson and Michael Gough.
The ICC confirmed: "Article 2.12 of the ICC Code of Conduct relates to: 'inappropriate physical contact with a Player, Player Support Personnel, Umpire, Match Referee or any other person (including a spectator) during an International Match'."
"No formal hearing was needed as Kohli accepted the sanctions proposed by Match Referee Andy Pycroft. On-field umpires Joel Wilson and Michael Gough, third umpire Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid and fourth umpire Shawn Craig levelled the charge," it added.
This marks Kohli’s first offence in a 24-month period. The penalty includes a demerit point added to his disciplinary record. Level 1 breaches under the ICC Code of Conduct carry a minimum penalty of an official reprimand and a maximum of a 50% match fee fine, along with one or two demerit points.
After the day's play, Konstas downplayed the incident, saying, "Virat Kohli accidentally bumped into me, that's cricket and can happen with tension."
