India's star batter Virat Kohli faced disciplinary action for getting into a physical altercation with opener Sam Konstas (60) on day one of the fourth Test between India and Australia in Melbourne.
Kohli was fined 20 per cent of his match fees as he was found to have breached Article 2.12 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to “inappropriate physical contact with a Player, Player Support Personnel, Umpire, Match Referee or any other person (including a spectator during an International Match.”
Also, he was also handed a penalty of one demerit point for his first offence in a 24-month period.
On-field umpires Joel Wilson and Michael Gough, third umpire Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid and fourth umpire Shawn Craig levelled the charge. Kohli admitted the offence and accepted the sanction proposed by match referee Andy Pycroft.
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A Level 1 offence would mean a match fee fine. Level 2 offences carry a penalty of three to four demerit points. Four demerit points would lead to a suspension of one Test.
Kohli will be free to play the fifth and final test in Sydney.
Earlier, at the end-of-day press conference, India assistant coach Abhishek Nayar downplayed the incident saying, "When you play a game, there will be emotions, but it is not as big as it seems. I wasn't aware of what happened and don't know what was said."
Konstas, too, brushed aside the altercation with Kohli. "I think the emotions got to both of us. I didn't quite realise, I was doing my gloves, then a little shoulder charge, but it happens in cricket,” the teenager told Channel 7.
Australia ended day one on 311/6, with Steve Smith (68*) and Pat Cummins (8*) at the crease. Jasprit Bumrah was, once again, the pick of the bowlers with 3/75. Marnus Labuschagne top scored with 72, while opener Usman Khawaja made 57.
The five-match series is tied 1-1 after three Tests.