Inciting major controversy, the shoulder collision incident between veteran India batsman Virat Kohli and Australia debutant Sam Konstas on the very first day of the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) could come under scrutiny by the International Cricket Council.
The incident occurred after the 10th over when Kohli had the ball in hand and it seemed that he had altered his walking path to be in a shoulder collision with Konstas, who did not like it, and there were a few words exchanged between them. Konstas' opening partner Usman Khawaja and on-field umpire Michael Gough arrived quickly to calm down the situation immediately.
Seeing the Kohli-Konstas shoulder collision left former Australia captain Ricky Ponting believing Kohli could be in trouble. "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."
"Fielders should be nowhere near the batsman at that stage. Every fieldsman on the ground knows where the batsmen will congregate and get together. 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," he said on Channel Seven.
Article 2.12 of the ICC code of conduct says, "Any form of inappropriate physical contact is strictly prohibited in cricket. Not limiting this, players will violate this rule if they intentionally, recklessly and/or negligently walk or run into or shoulder another Player or Umpire.".
"In determining whether a breach was serious, regard shall be had in particular to: (i) the circumstances of the case and whether or not the contact was deliberate or intentional or reckless or negligent and/or avoidable; (ii) the degree of force applied; (iii) injury caused to the person who was in contact with the relevant person; and (iv) the relevant person with whom contact was made."
Quizzed about the collision with Kohli during drinks break, Konstas said to broadcasters Fox Sports, "Whatever (happens) on the field stays on the field, but I love competing — and it doesn't get any better for a debut at this packed stadium."
And when referee Andy Pycroft thinks the players committed a level two offence then it would mean him delivering three or four demerit points. A match fee fine or a reprimand would be appropriate when considered to be a level one offense.
The five-time ICC Umpire of the Year award winner, Simon Taufel, on Channel Seven said that the match officials will look into the ICC code of conduct before taking any likely.
"It shows Virat Kohli actually changing his line to get into the personal space of Sam Konstas. There's a clause with the ICC code of conduct that talks about inappropriate physical contact. That's the clause that the umpires and the referee will be looking at the close of play today to see whether or not Virat's actions went into that category.".
"We don't want to see physical contact in the game. The thing is that it gets really out-of-control. And a lot of adrenaline flying. Sam Konstas holding his ground. Virat Kohli did the same thing. It's something out of nothing. We don't want to see it continues.".
"I think they'll let that one slide. That's my feeling about it at this point in time. Let the players say what they want to say. Get a few things off their chest. If at times it goes any further than that, they'll probably let that one slide as well."
Alyssa Healy, the Australia women's captain who is also left-arm pacer Mitchell Starc's wife, was not pleased with Kohli targeting the teenaged Konstas, who went on to make a blistering 60.
"I think it's more disappointing than anything else that your experienced player, one of your best players in the country, has quite visibly made a beeline for the youngest player in the opposition. It doesn't really set the greatest of tones for your side but if that's the way the Indian team want to approach it then so be it, but it didn't rattle Konstas one bit," she said on Fox Sports.
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