Former Indian captain Virat Kohli has been fined 20% of his match fee following a shoulder barge incident with Australian debutant Sam Konstas during the India versus Australia fourth Test in Melbourne on Thursday, according to an NDTV report.
The brief showdown took place after the completion of the 10th over of the Australian innings when the players were crossing over. Kohli and Konstas bumped shoulders while moving across the pitch.
Both players quickly turned around to glance at each other and engage in a heated exchange of words. Subsequently, Konstas' teammate Usman Khawaja stepped in to separate them.
The on-field umpires also had a word with the two players.
Konstas, who was batting on 27 at the time, went on to hit Jasprit Bumrah for two boundaries and a six in the next over. The 19-year-old scored a stunning fifty on debut before Ravindra Jadeja trapped him leg before wicket.
Australian skipper Ricky Ponting blamed Kohli for instigating the exchange, adding that the star Indian batter could face disciplinary action for it. "Have a look where Virat walks. Virat's walked one whole pitch over to his right and instigated that confrontation. No doubt in my mind whatsoever," Ponting said on Channel 7, while watching the replay of the incident.
"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.
"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," Ponting added.
(With inputs from PTI)
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