Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley and Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president Roger Binny shared contrasting views on the Virat Kohli-Sam Konstas drama on Day 1 of the ongoing Boxing Day Test in Melbourne Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
Virat Kohli sparked controversy by shouldering Sam Konstas on Day 1 of the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne. The incident occurred after the tenth over of the Australian innings when Virat Kohli, driving past Sam Konstas with the ball, made contact with the 19-year-old's shoulder.
The Virat Kohli-Sam Konstas incident has drawn mixed reactions from Cricket Australia and BCCI officials
It led to a heated exchange of words between Kohli and Konstas, forcing Usman Khawaja and the umpire to intervene to prevent further escalation in the fourth Test of the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in Melbourne on December 26.
Reacting to the episode, Cricket Australia (CA) CEO Nick Hockley expressed his concern while stressing the importance of maintaining sporting quality. Hockley noted that physical contact has no place in cricket.
However, the CA CEO admitted that Kohli accepted the charge and praised debutant Konstas for handling the situation with maturity, while underlining the high intensity and stakes of the BGT series.
Not a great look: Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley
Nick Hockley said on SEN Radio: “It's not a great look. I mean, you know, physical contact on the cricket field is a complete no-no. It wasn't great. I think clearly Virat by accepting the charge took responsibility and I actually thought Sam Konstas showed maturity beyond his years and was actually very kind to remove him. What I think it does is it just highlights the intensity of the competition, but also how much is at stake in this series, but yeah, it's not a great look.”
The former Indian captain accepted a fine of 20% of his match fee as well as a demerit point for his controversial act at the MCG. However, Hockley refused to comment on whether the penalty was enough but said it was the match umpires' call and the main thing is that Virat accepted the charge and took responsibility.
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These things happen on the cricket field: BCCI President Roger Binny
Meanwhile, BCCI president Roger Binny said he did not watch the altercation between Virat Kohli and Sam Konstas at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) but noted that such things are common on the field.
However, the former World Cup winner stressed that players should accept such moments and focus on making sure the game goes on, and that is something that matters more than causing controversy.
Roger Binny was quoted by ANI as saying, “I didn't see the incident (Virat Kohli-Sam Konstas incident) but these things happen on the cricket field. You have to accept it and move on. See the game continues. That's important.”
Virat Kohli accidentally hit me: Sam Konstas
After the match, Sam Konstas addressed the incident after the end of play on Day 1, explaining that Virat Kohli accidentally bumped into him in the Boxing Day Test between India and Australia at the MCG.
Konstas told the media at the MCG after the Day 1 game concluded: “I was just adjusting my gloves and I think it hit me by mistake. But I think it's just cricket, just tension.”