IND vs AUS 4th Test: Will Virat Kohli be penalised by ICC for Sam Konstas shoulder-bump? Here's what we know

It's just the Day 1 of the Boxing Day Test match and the drama is already through the roofs. The Australians handed Sam Konstas his debut cap and the batter made the most use of it, scoring 60 off 65 balls. However, he had also had a fiery encounter with Virat Kohli during the break between overs.

Kohli and Konstas were involved in a heated exchange at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) and now the International Cricket Council (ICC) is expected to review the incident which took place on the first morning of the 4th Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

So what exactly happened?

During a break between overs, the two players bumped into each other and exchanged words, which also prompted Usman Khawaja-Konstas's opening partner-and umpire Michael Gough to intervene and de-escalate the situation. Videos of the same soon went viral, with many Aussie legends and channels blaming Kohli for intentionally bumping with the 19-year-old.

Virat Kohli and Sam Konstas exchanged a heated moment on the MCG. #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/QL13nZ9IGI

¡ª cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 26, 2024

What are cricket experts saying:

According to Ricky Ponting, Kohli deliberately walked across the pitch to confront Konstas. Ponting, speaking on Channel Seven, said: "Virat walked one whole pitch over to his right and instigated that confrontation. No doubt in my mind whatsoever," he said.

Ponting also expressed confidence that match officials, including the umpires and referee, would review the incident thoroughly. He criticized Kohli¡¯s actions, highlighting the importance of fielders maintaining distance from batters between overs. "Fielders should be nowhere near the batsman at that stage. Every fieldsman on the ground knows where the batsmen will congregate and get together," Ponting added.

"Have a look where Virat walks. Virat's walked one whole pitch over to his right and instigated that confrontation. No doubt in my mind whatsoever."

- Ricky Ponting #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/zm4rjG4X9A

¡ª 7Cricket (@7Cricket) December 26, 2024

Australian women's cricket captain Alyssa Healy also criticized Kohli, accusing him of targeting the youngest member of the Australian team. "I think it's more disappointing than anything else that one of your most experienced players, one of your best players in the country, has quite visibly made a beeline for the youngest player in the opposition," Healy remarked.

Sam Konstas' reaction:

Interestingly, the batter, who spoke to Fox Cricket during a drinks break, downplayed the exchange. He said: "Whatever happens on the field stays on the field." Konstas had, just days back, expressed admiration for Kohli and had said he was one of three individuals from whom he would dream of receiving a congratulatory text.

The man of the moment ?

Sam Konstas chats with @copes9 about his first Test innings...

And everything else that happened during it as well #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/v7hhwMWgtB

¡ª 7Cricket (@7Cricket) December 26, 2024

ICC's Code of Conduct:

According to the ICC Code of Conduct, it prohibits inappropriate physical contact, which includes deliberate, reckless, or negligent actions. Match referee Andy Pycroft is expected to review the footage. A Level Two offense may lead to three or four demerit points, with four points triggering a suspension for the New Year's Test in Sydney.

Virat Kohli is in danger of being banned for 3 Test matches. pic.twitter.com/n9CXycq3NT

¡ª Abhishek (@vicharabhio) December 26, 2024

In contrast, a Level One offense is more likely to result in a fine. The ICC¡¯s decision on the incident will determine whether further disciplinary action is warranted.

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