Indian batter Virat Kohli, who is regarded as one of the greatest batters of all time, was involved in a fiery incident with Australian debutant Sam Konstas. Former Australian cricketer Ricky Ponting condemned the International Cricket Council (ICC) for going easy on the Indian veteran batter Virat Kohli.
During the fourth Test match between India and Australia in Melbourne, a heated incident occurred, igniting the fiery rivalry between the two cricketing giants. The tense moment not only showcased the intense competitive spirit between the teams but also became a defining episode in their cricketing history, further fueling the passion of players and fans.
In the 10th over of the first inning, Virat Kohli was seen approaching batter Sam Konstas and carelessly bumped shoulders with him in an inappropriate manner, sparking controversy and drawing widespread criticism for his unsportsmanlike conduct.
Virat Kohli acknowledged the offense and agreed to the penalty suggested by Andy Pycroft from the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees. The penalty included one demerit point and a deduction of 20% of match fees.
Ricky Ponting seem disappointed with the match refree and umpires’ call on the incident. He stated,
“Personally, I don’t think it was harsh enough. There have been precedents; things have happened in the past, and it generally has been 15-25% fine, but let’s have a look at the enormity of the incident. It was the most watched day of cricket throughout the whole year all around the world. Imagine if that now happens in a grade game. What’s gonna happen? I think people are gonna think that’s almost acceptable now.”
He added, “Unfortunately, for someone like Virat as we got told as captain and players… sometimes it’s different for some players. He’s a role model. He’s someone the world looks up to,”
“It’s a slap on the wrist” Sunil Gavaskar shares his opinion on the ICC sanction
Former Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar supports the sanctions imposed by the International Cricket Council (ICC) panel. The legendary batter has expressed his backing for Virat Kohli, emphasizing that the punishment was fair and in line with the rules.
He stated, “That’s a slap on the wrist. All these players are highly paid professionals. Any fines will have to be a deterrent. That is in the books that you have fine an x amount. One can understand the ICC match referee went by the books and what the playing conditions are, but I just hope Kohli, who has been one of the greatest players in the world, is not remembered for this. He has got to be remembered for what he has done with the bat.”
Sunil Gavaskar wants Virat Kohli to be known for his ability and skill with the bat, rather than his heated moments on the field. Gavaskar emphasized that Kohli’s remarkable achievements and consistency as a player should define his legacy, urging fans and critics alike to focus on his contributions to Indian cricket instead of any controversial incidents.
