AUS vs IND 2024-25: Virat Kohli Fined 20% of Match Fee & Demerit Point

On Day 1 of the Boxing Day Test on Thursday, December 26, Virat Kohli was given one demerit point and fined 20% of his match fee for shoulder-bumping Sam Konstas at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The incident occurred while the players were crossing over following the conclusion of the tenth over of the Australian innings. As they crossed the field, Kohli and Konstas collided. Usman Khawaja, Konstas' teammate, intervened to break up the tense exchange of words when both players swiftly turned to face one another.

Soon after the event, former Australia skipper Ricky Ponting blasted Kohli and demanded that the seasoned batter face consequences. Another expert who disapproved of Kohli's antics and called them "unnecessary" was former India head coach Ravi Shastri. Many former players thought that Kohli might be suspended after the incident, but since he was charged with a Level 1 crime, that has not happened. Three to four demerit points are awarded for Level 2 offences. One Test suspension would result in four demerit points.

Virat Kohli vs Sam Konstas:

Kohli and Konstas come together and make contact 👀#AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/adb09clEqd

— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) December 26, 2024

Former Indian cricket player Ravi Shastri said, "Yeah, it's unnecessary, totally unnecessary, you don't want to see that. Especially, Virat's a senior player, he's been captain of the side, he'll have his own explanations as regards that, but it's something you don't want to see. One person who'll be watching, his eyes will be locked into the proceedings. Andy Pycroft."

In the following over, Konstas, who was batting at number 27, struck Jasprit Bumrah for two boundaries and a six. Before being caught leg before wicket by Ravindra Jadeja, the teenager achieved an incredible fifty in his debut. While former Australian captain Ricky Ponting blamed Kohli for starting the dispute, Konstas may have written it off as normal. He even went so far as to suggest that Kohli might be disciplined for it.

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