Sam Konstas is grabbing headlines with a remarkable start to his international career. Making his Test debut in the Boxing Day Test against India, the 19-year-old youngster played an explosive innings of 60 runs. In his very first match, the debutant found himself in a heated moment with none other than Virat Kohli, who is considered an inspiration for young cricketers.
The incident occurred after the 10th over of the innings. Konstas had batted so fluently in those 10 overs that it hardly seemed like he was playing his first international match. He specifically targeted Jasprit Bumrah whom he slammed 14 runs in a single over. Perhaps this display frustrated Virat Kohli.
As the two players crossed paths after the 10th over, Kohli shoulder-bumped Konstas. When the 19-year-old turned back to complain, Kohli responded with an animated reaction, gesturing that he was cleaning the ball and it might have happened unintentionally. Umpires and Usman Khawaja stepped in to diffuse the situation.
— Cricket Punter (@ImRahulCSK11) December 26, 2024
Virat Kohli fined for shoulder-bump incident with Sam Konstas
However, Kohli’s action was deemed an offence under the ICC’s rulebook. At the end of the day’s play, the ICC found Kohli’s act to be a Level 1 offence. As a result, the Indian star was fined 20% of his match fee and handed one demerit point. It seems Kohli got away lightly, as a Level 2 offence would have resulted in three or four demerit points and a potential one-match suspension.
The debutant took the incident lightly and didn’t make a fuss about it. “Virat Kohli accidentally bumped into me. That’s cricket, and these things can happen in the heat of the moment. I think the emotions got to both of us.” Konstas said after Day 1.
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Talking about Sam Konstas’s innings, the incident didn’t let his confidence waver. The batter, in the very next over, smashed Jasprit Bumrah for 18 runs, which is now Bumrah’s most expensive over in his Test career. The debutant went on to score 60 runs off 65 balls before being dismissed by Ravindra Jadeja in the 20th over.
