How did Virat Kohli escape ICC Ban after ‘Physical Contact’ with Sam Konstas in Boxing-Day Test? Explained

The one incident that has the cricket world speaking the most on the first Day of the Boxing-Day Test was Virat Kohli’s altercation with Sam Konstas. This brief interaction took place after the 10th over of Australian innings on opening day of the 4th Test. Kohli and Konstas bumped shoulders when they were moving across the pitch in the face off that got initiated by the Indian star.

Kohli then eventually got charged with breaking Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct. This charge was given by the on-field umpires Joel Wilson and Michael Gough, along with third umpire Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid and fourth umpire Shawn Craig.

“Virat Kohli has been fined 20 percent of his match fee and awarded one demerit point for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct,” the ICC said.

A player can get maximum of two demerit points in case of Level 1 offense. Four demerit points are given in case of Level 2 offence. Four demerit points in span of 2 years lead to a suspension of one Test. This is the first demerit point that Kohli has got since 2019. It is, however, rare for a player to get four demerit points at one go in order of break of code of conduct.

Kohli’s match fee for he game was to be Rs. 15 lakh, but now has been reduced to Rs. 12 lakh because of the fine. As they punished Kohli, ICC mentioned Article 2.12 of the Code of Conduct in their press conference.

As per Article 2.12 of the ICC Code of Conduct: “Inappropriate physical contact with a Player, Player Support Personnel, Umpire, Match Referee or any other person (including a spectator) during an International Match.”

“Note: 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,” the rule further adds.

“When assessing the seriousness of the breach, the following factors (without limitation) shall be taken into account: (i) the context of the particular situation, including, without limitation, whether the contact was deliberate (i.e. intentional), reckless, negligent, and/or avoidable; (ii) the force of the contact; (iii) any resulting injury to the person with whom contact was made; and (iv) the person with whom contact was made.”

The ICC further state that Level 1 and Level 2 breach will be applied “in the case of contact with Players, Player Support Personnel or any other person.”
Level 3 and Level 4 breach will be applied “in the case of contact with Umpires and Match Referees.”

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