Umpire Michael Gough talks to Virat Kohli and Australia’s Sam Konstas on the first day of the fourth Test in Melbourne on December 26, 2024. | Photo credit: Getty Images

Virat Kohli was fined 20% of his match fee for violating Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct on the first day of the fourth Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne on Thursday (December 26, 2024).

The former Indian captain had walked across the field in the morning and brushed against Australian debutant Sam Konstas on the shoulder. The youth responded and Usman Khawaja stepped in as an intermediary.

An ICC press release said: “Kohli has been found to have breached Article 2.12 of the ICC Code of Conduct, which relates to inappropriate physical contact with a player.” The statement also said: “Kohlen’s disciplinary record has been reduced by one demerit point added, for whom it was the first offense in 24 months.”

After “field umpires Joel Wilson and Michael Gough, third umpire Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid and fourth umpire Shawn Craig made the charge,” the ICC continued: “Kohli admitted the offense and accepted the charges made by Andy Pycroft, the umpire, proposed sanction.” ”