Legendary India opener Sunil Gavaskar has spoken about the fine received by Virat Kohli for his infamous altercation with Sam Konstas during the Boxing Day Test between Australia and India in Melbourne.
Recently, Virat Kohli was fined 20 per cent of the match fee for deliberately trying to bump shoulders with Konstas on the pitch. Cricket is not a physical sport and players can be heavily punished for deliberate physical contact while on the field.
After the announcement of Kohli’s punishment, the International Cricket Council (ICC) was heavily criticized by former Australian cricketers like Ricky Ponting and Kerry O’Keeffe and the media for handling the matter sensitively due to Virat’s involvement. Kohli in it.
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While speaking to Star Sports, Sunil Gavaskar defended Virat Kohli over the fine he received from the ICC. Gavaskar claimed that it is not Kohli’s fault if that is the maximum punishment decided by the ICC.
“Yes, one would say that the punishment may be light, considering the experience he has had. But that is the maximum punishment decided by the ICC. He has not been done any favours,” Gavaskar said.
The former India opener further elaborated on his view and stated that the ICC has allowed a maximum Level 1 offense for such deliberate contact during a game. He criticized the Australian media for trying to create a big issue as it is related to Kohli.
“If, for example, the fine was 10 percent, then you could have said ‘oh, you’ve been done a favor.’ But the fine for a Level 1 violation is at most 20 percent. I’m not 100 percent on that, but I understand that there is a demerit point and a fine that is the maximum allowed, that is what has been imposed,” explained Sunil Gavaskar.
“No special favors have been done to him. You can’t hang a man for picketing someone. That’s what the Australian media is asking for. The Australian media thinks they got away because he’s Kohli. But that’s not the point. “he added.
Previous cases of similar incidents
Sunil Gavaskar, delving into the ICC rule, reminded the Australian media of some of the previous cases where players had just been fined for making physical contact and no one questioned those decisions.
“I know that in this particular year there have been four such incidents where there have been fines. Last December, Irish bowler Josh Little was fined 15 per cent for physical contact with a batsman, an offence. Level 1. In that game, Andy Pycroft was the match referee,” Gavaskar said.
“Jasprit Bumrah was also booked for level 1 physical contact with England’s Ollie Pope,” he mentioned.
What was the whole incident?
After the end of the 10th over in Australia’s innings on Day 1, Virat Kohli and Sam Konstas were involved in a shoulder blitz against each other. Kohli appeared to deliberately change his path after the over and bumped shoulders with Konstas.
After the shoulder collision, Kohli looked back and exchanged a few verbal volleys with the Australian debutant. Konstas was not far behind and responded to Kohli. Usman Khawaja, who was at the other end, had to intervene to calm things down later.
At the end of the day, referee Andy Pycroft announced a fine of 20 per cent of the match fee and a demerit point for Virat Kohli. The 36-year-old veteran accepted the error and did not require further hearing.
