Legendary Indian opener Sunil Gavaskar has opened up 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 percent of his match fees for deliberately trying to bump his shoulder with Konstas while fielding. Cricket is not a physical sport and players can receive heavy penalties for deliberate physical contact while fielding.
After Kohli's punishment was announced, the International Cricket Council (ICC) was heavily criticized by former Australian cricketers such as Ricky Ponting and Kerry O'Keeffe and the media for handling the issue delicately because of Virat Kohli's involvement in it.
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While talking to Star Sports, Sunil Gavaskar defended Virat Kohli regarding the fine he received from the ICC. Gavaskar argued that it is not Kohli's fault if this is the maximum punishment decided by the ICC.
“Yes, you would say the punishment can be light given the experience he has had. But, this is the maximum punishment that is decided by the ICC, he has not been done any favours,” Gavaskar said.
The former India opener further explained his opinion and claimed that the ICC allowed a maximum of 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, he's been done a favor.' But, the fine for a Level 1 misdemeanor is a maximum of 20 percent. I'm not 100 percent on that. , but I understand there is a demerit point and a fine. This is the maximum allowed, this is what was charged to him”, explained Sunil Gavaskar.
“He was not done special favors. You can't hang a man for picking someone's picket. That's what the Australian media is asking for. The Australian media thinks he got away because he's Kohli. But that's not the point,” he said. he added.
Previous cases of similar incidents
Elaborating further on the ICC rule, Sunil Gavaskar reminded the Australian media of some of the previous instances where players had just been fined for physical contact and no one questioned those decisions.
“I know that this year there have been four such incidents where there have been fines. Last December, the Ireland bowler Josh Little he was fined 15% for physical contact with a batsman, a Level 1 offence. In that game, Andy Pycroft was the umpire of the match,” Gavaskar noted.
“jasprit bumrah was also reprimanded for level 1 physical contact for physical contact with England 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 barrage with each other. Kohli appeared to purposely change his path after the over and collided with Konstas' shoulder.
After the shoulder clash, Kohli looked back and exchanged a few verbal salvos with the Australian debutant. Konstas did not stop and answered Kohli. Usman Khawaja, who was at the other end, had to step in to calm things down later.
After the end of the day's play, the match referee Andy Pycroft announced a fine of 20% of the match fees and a demerit point for Virat Kohli. The 36-year-old veteran accepted the mistake and required no further hearings.