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The ongoing Boxing Day Test between Australia and India has been nothing short of an entertainer in terms of game as well as controversy. However, the controversy involving Virat Kohli and Australia debutant Sam Konstas is what has taken the cricketing world by storm with several questioning the veteran Indian batter’s take on it. Despite several speaking against Kohli, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has already penalised him with 20 per cent of his match fee after Level 1 breach of ICC Code of Conduct.
Amid this, former Australia batter Mark Waugh has also joined in the saga, but has questioned ICC, calling 20 per cent fine on Virat Kohli as too “lenient”. Speaking of the incident, it unfolded after the 10th over of the Australia first innings. Virat Kohli bumped shoulder with Konstas, escalating into a heated exchange before Usman Khawaja and umpire Michael Gough had to intervene to mediate it.
Physical contact of this nature is simply not acceptable: Mark Waugh opines
Speaking on Fox Cricket, the former Australia cricketer said, “It doesn't matter who you are; that sort of behaviour is unacceptable. He's extremely lucky the penalty was so lenient ... it could easily have been deemed a Level 2 offence." "The fine should be at least 75% of the match fee if you're going to impose a monetary penalty. Incidents like this could escalate, involving players or even the crowd, especially in hostile environments. Physical contact of this nature is simply not acceptable," he added.
Can’t hang a man for picking pocket: Sunil Gavaskar defends Kohli’s fine
Former India cricketer and legendary batter Sunil Gavaskar also reiterated his stance on Virat Kohli’s barrage with Sam Konstas. While quoting instances of players getting similar sanctions for physical contact on field, Gavaskar defended ICC’s stance on the matter. "Yes, you would say that the punishment may be light, considering the experience that he has had. But, that’s the maximum punishment that is decided by the ICC. He has not been done any favour," Sunil Gavaskar told Star Sports.
"If, for example, the fine was 10 percent, then you could have said ‘ah, he has been done a favour’. But, the fine for a Level 1 offence is maximum a 20 percent. I am not 100 percent on that, but I am given to understand that there is one demerit point and a fine. That’s the maximum allowed, that’s what has been levied on him. No special favours have been done to him. You can’t hang a man for picking someone’s picket. That’s what the Australian media is asking for,” he continued.
It is to be noted that Virat Kohli was handed a demerit point along with being penalised 20 per cent of his match fee following his heated on-field altercation with Sam Konstas. As it was Kohli’s first Level 1 offence since 2019, he wasn’t handed a ban.
