Virat Kohli Penalized 20% Match Fees For Shoulder Barge

On December 26, 2024, India’s star cricketer Virat Kohli was fined 20% of his match fee and received one demerit point for a shoulder barge against Australian player Sam Konstas during the first day of the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). This incident occurred after the 10th over of Australia’s innings. Kohli was found guilty of breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct, specifically for inappropriate physical contact. The penalty follows the incident in which Kohli bumped into Konstas negligently, leading to a disciplinary action.

Incident Overview

• Kohli bumped into Australian batter Sam Konstas with his shoulder at the end of the 10th over during the Boxing Day Test.
• The ICC described Kohli’s actions as “negligently bumping his shoulder with the batter inappropriately.”

Disciplinary Action

• Kohli was fined 20% of his match fee.
• He also received one demerit point added to his disciplinary record.
• Level 1 Breach
• The breach was classified under Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct, relating to “inappropriate physical contact with a player, support personnel, umpire, match referee, or any other person (including a spectator).”

Penalties for Level 1 Breaches

• Official reprimand
• Up to 50% fine of match fee
• One or two demerit points

Demerit Points

• One demerit point is added to Kohli’s disciplinary record.
• Demerit points remain on record for 24 months before being expunged.
• Accumulation of four or more demerit points within 24 months leads to suspension points, which could result in a ban from matches.

Acceptance of Sanctions

• Kohli admitted to the offense and accepted the proposed sanction, meaning no formal hearing was required.
• The sanction was proposed by Andy Pycroft, the ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees.