‘Absolutely pathetic’: Kohli learns his fate over Konstas collision

Indian cricket veteran Virat Kohli has learned his fate after his “pathetic” act with youngster Sam Konstas on Boxing Day.

Indian cricket veteran Virat Kohli has avoided a suspension, even after his own country turned on him following his ugly Boxing Day act.

The opening session of the fourth Test was taken over by teen sensation Sam Konstas, who showed he wasn’t afraid of the big stage.

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The 19-year-old played daring shot after daring shot as he put the Indian bowlers under pressure they haven’t felt all summer long.

As the onslaught continued, the Indian side looked all out of sorts with Kohli, 36, attempting to take matters into his own hands.

At the end of the 10th over, Kohli collected the red ball and made a bee line for the youngster before colliding into him with his shoulder.

Watch the ugly incident in the video player above

Konstas, clearly unaware of what was heading his way, turned after the impact and exchanged words with the Indian star before Usman Khawaja came in to play peacemaker and settle the commotion down.

Kohli went after the youngster. Credit: Fox Sports.

The intimidation tactics from Kohli didn’t work as Konstas responded by taking 18 runs off the next over with two fours and a six.

The debutant was asked about the incident after his dismissal.

“I think the emotions got to both of us,” Konstas told the Seven Network.

“I didn’t quite realise, I was doing my gloves and then a little shoulder charge. It happens, it’s cricket.”

If match referee Andy Pycroft deemed the contact to be a level two offence against either player, that player would receive three or four demerit points.

Instead, Pycroft handed Kohli a 20 per cent fine of his match fee for this Test and penalised him one demerit point, meaning he is free to play the fifth Test at the SCG.

Kohli admitted to the charge and accepted the sanction, meaning no formal hearing was held by the ICC.

It would have taken a four-point penalty to trigger a suspension for the New Year’s Test in Sydney.

Kohli now has one demerit point against his record. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

While Kohli is a past offender, he hadn’t copped any punishment from the ICC over the last two years, so had no current violations that could be used in Pycroft’s ruling.

If a player hits four demerit points over any two-year period, they automatically incur a suspension.

Fans watching on were quick to savage Kohli over the ugly act and for going after the teenage sensation.

Kohli wasn’t even being given a pass by his own country, which quickly turned on the sporting superstar.

In an article on the Times of India detailing the incident, almost every comment on the story said Kohli deserved to be hit hard with a punishment.

One commenter wrote: “Kohli is aggression without performance – he is becoming a joke.”

A second wrote: “Such a shameful act. Kohli totally lost his respect.”

Kohli went out of his way to bump Konstas.

A third added: “Kohli once again shows his frustration on the field as he cannot perform. He is degrading the cricket and our nation for unwarranted antics.”

It’s also worth noting this isn’t the first time Kohli has bumped an opponent and come under scrutiny from the match referee.

In 2019 he made shoulder contact with South Africa’s Beuran Hendricks during a T20I in Bengaluru. Kohli admitted to the offence and accepted the one-point sanction.

Fox Cricket’s Michael Vaughan said: “He’s completely acted wrong. I don’t know why a senior pro who’s played for so long – he’s a King – why’s he’s been rattled by a 19-year-old. Sam Konstas did absolutely nothing wrong there. Virat veered towards him. You can’t do that, you’re just not allowed to do that.”

Konstas isn’t afraid of the Indian’s. Picture: Michael Klein

Ricky Ponting said on Channel 7: “We’re seeing a replay again of the physical altercation between Konstas and Virat. Look at the way Virat walks. Virat walked one whole pitch over to his right and instigated that confrontation. No doubt in my mind whatsoever.

“I have no doubt that the umpires and the referee will have a good look at that. We’ve seen a few angles. It looked to me that Konstas looked up really late. Wouldn’t even know anyone is in front of him. That man on-screen there (Kohli) might have a few questions to answer.”

SEN’s Tom Morris speculated the 36-year-old could serve a suspension given the ICC’s strict guidelines when it comes to intentional body contact with another opposition player.

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”.

The penalty for Kohli was at the low end of the options, but criticism was still fierce on social media over the petulant act.

Match referee Andy Pycroft (centre) will review the incident between Kohli and Konstas. (Photo by Lee Warren/Gallo Images/Getty Images)

Mark Gottlieb wrote on X: “That’s absolutely pathetic from Virat Kohli. What a joke. Walked straight at the kid then acted like Konstas was in the wrong.”

ABC’s Daniel Garb wrote: “Ridiculous from Kohli. Sledge the kid all you want for playing these shots on debut but deliberately bumping him … poor form. So entitled.”

Channel 7’s Theo Doropoulos wrote: “Kohli absolutely deserves a sanction for this. Cannot be tolerated on the cricket field. Konstas in India’s head like you’ve never seen. They are rattled. The best player of a generation acting like he’s the 19-year old kid.”

Konstas downplayed the incident as he spoke to Trent Copeland after his blistering innings came to an end.

“The emotions got to both of us,” he said on Channel 7.

“I didn’t quite realise (Kohli was coming my way), I was doing my gloves and then the little shoulder charge (happened), but it happens, it’s cricket.”

Originally published as ‘Absolutely pathetic’: Kohli learns his fate over Konstas collision