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.

Summary/Static	Details
Why in the news?	Virat Kohli Penalized 20% Match Fees For Shoulder Barge
Incident	Virat Kohli barged into Sam Konstas with his shoulder on Day 1 of the Boxing Day Test at the MCG.
Disciplinary Action	Kohli fined 20% of his match fee and receives one demerit point.
Breach Code of Conduct	Level 1 breach for inappropriate physical contact with another player.
Penalties	One demerit point added to Kohli’s record. Points remain for 24 months.
Demerit Points	Kohli accepted the fine and demerit point, avoiding a formal hearing.
Acceptance of Sanction	Kohli accepted the fine and demerit point, avoiding a formal hearing.