Virat Kohli fined for ‘shoulder-bump incident’ in Boxing Day Test

Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli faced disciplinary action during the Boxing Day Test against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) after a heated altercation with Australia’s debutant Sam Konstas. Kohli was fined 20% of his match fee and handed a demerit point for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct.

The incident occurred during the 10th over of the first day when Kohli made physical contact with Konstas by bumping his shoulder. The altercation escalated into a heated exchange between the two players before Australia’s Usman Khawaja stepped in to diffuse the situation.

Under Article 2.12 of the ICC Code of Conduct, inappropriate physical contact with a player, match official, or spectator is prohibited. Kohli accepted the penalty proposed by Match Referee Andy Pycroft, avoiding a formal hearing. The charge was brought by on-field umpires Joel Wilson and Michael Gough, third umpire Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid, and fourth umpire Shawn Craig.

The incident drew criticism from cricket experts, including former Australia captain Ricky Ponting, who commented on the host broadcaster Channel Seven:
“Virat walked one whole pitch over to his right and instigated that confrontation. Fielders should be nowhere near the batsman at that stage. Every fieldsman on the ground knows where the batsmen will congregate.”

Ponting further noted, “It looked to me that Konstas looked up really late, wouldn’t even know anyone is in front of him. That man on-screen there (Kohli) might have a few questions to answer.”

Former India coach Ravi Shastri also weighed in, cautioning against crossing the line: “There is a line, and you don’t want to overstep that line.”

Despite the tension, Konstas dismissed the altercation during the post-day press conference. “I was just doing my gloves, and I think he accidentally bumped me. I think that is just cricket, just the tension,” he said.

Konstas, who scored an impressive 60 off 65 balls in his debut innings, highlighted his focus on performing well: “For me, it’s about having that freedom, backing myself, and trying to bring out the best version of me.”

Konstas’s dynamic knock, including six fours and two sixes, set the tone for Australia’s innings, forming an 89-run opening partnership with Khawaja. While all four top-order batters scored half-centuries, none managed to convert them into substantial scores.

Steve Smith led the middle-order resistance, finishing unbeaten on 68 as Australia reached 311/6 at stumps. Jasprit Bumrah was the pick of the Indian bowlers, claiming 3/75, while Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar chipped in with crucial wickets.

Also See: IND vs AUS Matches / Series Fixtures

The Boxing Day Test remains evenly poised, with tensions running high as both teams look to gain the upper hand in the pivotal Border-Gavaskar series.