On the first day of the fourth Test match being played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), the clash between Indian batsman Virat Kohli and Australian debutant Sam Constas created a major controversy. The International Cricket Council (ICC) fined Kohli 20% of his match fee and gave him one demerit point. The incident happened on Thursday (December 26) when the players were passing each other during the over break.
What is ICC’s rule?
According to the ICC Code of Conduct, any kind of inappropriate physical contact Is banned.
- Level 1 Felony:
- Match fee penalty.
- Level 2 Offense:
- Three or four demerit points.
- If the player has four demerit points one match suspension,
This rule applies to both intentional and unintentional collisions.
How did the incident happen?
Australian innings 10th over After, when players were passing during the break, Kohli and Constas’ shoulders collided.
- Both players turned and looked at each other and said a few words.
- Australian opening batsman Usman Khawaja Came and took charge of the situation.
- The umpires present on the field also talked to both the players.
Constas’ statement:
After the match, Kontas channel 7 Said to:
“Emotions overcame both of us. I was putting on my gloves and suddenly his shoulder bumped into mine. All this keeps happening in cricket.”
Constas scored 65 balls in his innings. 60 runs made, in which he Jasprit Bumrah Hit two fours and a six against. after completing his half-century Ravindra Jadeja Was out LBW on the ball of.
Ricky Ponting held Kohli responsible
Former captain of Australia ricky ponting He held Virat Kohli responsible for this controversy.
- Ponting said:
“Look where Virat has come from. He came across the entire pitch and started the clash. I have no doubt about it.”
- he adds:
“The umpire and match referee will definitely look into this incident. The fielder should not have been close to the batsman at that time.”
- Ponting defended Constas, saying:
“It took a long time for Constas to realize that someone was in front of him. Kohli will have to answer on this.”
Virat Kohli and Sam Konstas exchanged a heated moment on the MCG. #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/QL13nZ9IGI
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 26, 2024
Bumrah gave India a comeback
Despite Virat Kohli’s controversy, Jasprit Bumrah With his brilliant bowling, he brought India back into the match.
- Bumrah in 21 overs Three wickets for 75 runs Shocks.
- Australia by the end of the first day’s play 311/6 Made a score of.
Main Display:
- Sam Constas: 60 runs in 65 balls.
- Usman Khawaja: 57 runs in 121 balls.
- Marnus Labuschagne: 72 runs in 145 balls.
- Steve Smith: 68 runs not out in 111 balls.
Bumrah’s deadly bowling:
- in the 67th over travis head Was out (after two consecutive centuries).
- in the next over Mitchell Marsh Took the wicket of (4 runs).
- After lunch, Khwaja was also sent to the pavilion.