Virat Kohli deserves to be punished for shoulder charge on Sam Konstas in Boxing Day Test

Virat Kohli should have been banned for his bump on Sam Konstas, and the game has fallen short yet again, writes Robert Craddock. HAVE YOUR SAY.

The question was whether cricket would be strong enough to stand up to Virat Kohli. The answer was no.

Kohli deserved to be banned for his blatant shoulder contact with debonair debutant Sam Konstas but, though a decision is yet to be announced, it is understood he got away with losing 20 per cent of his match fee.

The penalty didn’t fit the crime. And why is no-one surprised?

Talk about a slap with a wet lettuce.

Virat Kohli shoulders Sam Konstas

The fine is about $2000. Given Kohli is reported to be worth $100 million it’s safe to say he won’t have to work a second job to pay for the verdict handed down by match referee Andy Pycroft, a lawyer of more than 40 years experience in Zimbabwe.

GIven Kohli’s status as the game’s most popular player and one of the game’s most iconic senior statesmen the game was crying out for the match referee to take strong action but the game fell short ... again.

Even former Indian coach Ravi Shastri called Kohli’s actions “completely unnecessary.’’

Television footage confirmed Kolhi changed direction slightly to ensure he walked into Konstas’ line.

Umpire Michael Gough speaks with Virat Kohli and Sam Konstas after the incident. Picture: Getty

What makes Kohli’s action particularly inexcusable is that this was not like a fast bowler having a spur-of-the-moment hissy fit over a decision.

This was a case of stone-faced premeditation.

The laws of the game have provision to ban players for physical contact,

Common logic insisted it deserves a ban but cricket’s rubbery disciplinary rules are soft and forgiving

Konstas and Kohli exchange words after Kohli’s shoulder bump. Picture: Martin Keep / AFP

There appears no question of Kohli’s intent.

He moved a full vacant pitch across to walk into Konstas’ path and brush him with his shoulder.

The pitch is the domain of batsmen, not random fieldsmen with soaring anxiety levels.

Konstas did not see Kohli coming so he made no move to get out of his path and Kohli, after brushing Konstas, went into full pantomime villain mode by spinning on his heel and putting his arms out as if to say “what happened there?’’ .

On face value it looked like a case of a fiesty veteran trying to distract a teenager on debut but if anything it seemed to drive Konstas’ attacking instincts to fresh heights.

“This one will be interesting,’’ one former cricketer said. “It’s astounding how little criticism Kohli cops. People fear him.’’

Under the rules of the game there was no escape for Kohli.

Law 2.12 expressly states physical contact is banned. Several of the subclauses are damning. Was the contact deliberate? Yes. Was it with force? Yes, not dangerous but very purposeful.

After a century in the first Test in Perth, Kohli’s returns have been poor and his mood has receded with his numbers.

In the build up to this game he clashed with reporters over shots being allegedly taken of his family at the airport.

Kohli’s brain fade was a huge victory for Konstas.

Who would have thought a teenager playing his first Test would so rattle one of the game’s legends in his first hour at the crease that he would be reduced to reckless, physical intimidation?

Originally published as Virat Kohli deserves to be punished for shoulder charge on Sam Konstas in Boxing Day Test