Virat Kohli escapes ban, Fined for Sam Konstas bust-up

Virat Kohli, former India captain, has been fined 20 percent of his match fee in the India vs Australia 4th Test in Melbourne after a shoulder barge incident with debutant Sam Konstas on Thursday, sources said. The incident happened after the completion of the 10th over of the Australian innings when the players were crossing over. Kohli and Konstas bumped shoulders while moving across the pitch. Both players quickly turned around to glance at each other and engage in a heated exchange of words with Konstas' teammate Usman Khawaja stepping in to separate them. The on-field umpires also had a word with the two.

"Virat Kohli has been slapped with a Level 1 offence. He has been fined 20 percent of the match fees," a source told NDTV. After the incident, many former players predicted that Kohli may face suspension but that has not happened as he has been charged with a Level 1 offence. Level 2 offences carry a penalty of three to four demerit points. Four demerit points would lead to a suspension of one Test.

The ICC's Code of Conduct states that "any form of inappropriate physical contact is prohibited in cricket. Without limitation, players will breach this regulation if they deliberately, recklessly, and/or negligently walk or run into or shoulder another player or umpire".

Speaking to reporters after Stumps on Day 1 of the Boxing Day Test, Konstas said Kohli bumped into him and it wasn't deliberate.

Konstas might have dismissed it as routine but former Australian skipper Ricky Ponting blamed Kohli for instigating the exchange. He went to the extent of saying that Kohli could face disciplinary action for it. "Have a look where Virat walks. Virat walked one whole pitch over to his right and instigated that confrontation. No doubt in my mind whatsoever," Ponting said on Channel 7 while watching the replay of the incident.