Why Virat Kohli escaped an ICC ban despite making ‘physical contact’ with Sam Konstas during Boxing Day Test – explained

The single incident that got the cricket world talking the most on the first day of the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne was Virat Kohli’s altercation with Sam Konstas. The brief confrontation took place after Australia’s 10th innings on the opening day of the fourth Test here, when the players were crossing. Kohli and Konstas bumped shoulders while moving around the field during the confrontation initiated by the traveling star. Kohli was ultimately charged with breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct by on-field umpires Joel Wilson and Michael Gough, third umpire Sharfuddula Ibne Shahid and fourth umpire Shawn Craig.

“Virat Kohli was fined 20 per cent of his match fee and given one demerit point for breaching level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct,” the ICC said. He accepted the sanctions proposed by match referee Andy Pycroft at the end of the day.

Many Australian pundits predicted that the ICC might ban Kohli for one match, but that is not the case.

Here are the reasons why Kohli escaped with a ban:

A player can be awarded a maximum of two demerit points for breaching level 1. Four demerit points can be awarded to a player for breaching level 2. Four demerit points over a two-year period result in the suspension of a test. This is the first demerit point Kohli has recorded since 2019. In fact, it is rare for a player to get four demerit points in one go for violating the code of conduct. South African pacer Kagiso Rabada was awarded three demerit points for an argument with Sri Lankan Niroshan Dickwella during an ODI in 2017.

Kohli’s match fee for the match was supposed to be Rs 15 lakh, but this would be reduced to Rs 12 lakh due to the fine.

While punishing Kohli, ICC mentioned Article 2.12 of the Code of Conduct in its press release.

Article 2.12 of the ICC Code of Conduct relates to: “Inappropriate physical contact with a player, player support personnel, an umpire, a match referee or any other person (including a spectator) during ‘an international match.’

The rule book further adds: “Note: Any form of inappropriate physical contact is prohibited in cricket. Without limitation, players will violate this rule if they deliberately, recklessly and/or negligently step on, bump into or shoulder another player or referee.

“When assessing the seriousness of the violation, the following factors (without limitation) must 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;

Additionally, the ICC states that Level 1 and Level 2 violations will occur “in the event of contact with players, player support personnel or any other person.”

Level 3 and 4 violations will occur “in the event of contact with referees and match officials.”