Virat Kohli Penalised for Sam Konstas Shoulder Incident

During the Boxing Day Test between India and Australia, Virat Kohli was penalised for a shoulder barge against Australian player Sam Konstas, violating Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct under Article 2.12, which prohibits inappropriate physical contact. Kohli was fined 20% of his match fee and received one demerit point on his disciplinary record.

Level 1 breaches are considered minor offenses but emphasize the importance of sportsmanship and maintaining the spirit of the game. The penalty was determined by on-field umpires and reviewed by the match referee. The ICC’s demerit point system can lead to suspensions if a player accumulates four or more points within 24 months, highlighting the consequences of repeated misconduct.

Kohli has faced similar penalties before, such as a 2019 fine for excessive appealing during the ICC ODI World Cup. This incident reinforces the ICC’s commitment to upholding discipline and fair play in international cricket.