IND vs AUS Melbourne Test - Kohli fined 20% of match fee

The ICC has imposed a fine on Indian player Virat Kohli. Match referee Andy Pycroft has deducted 20% of Kohli's match fee. He has also given a D-merit point. This fine has been imposed on Kohli for bad behavior on the field.

The 37-year-old Indian batsman pushed and argued with 19-year-old Australian opener Sam Constas, who was playing his debut match. This incident happened between the 10th and 11th overs of the Australian innings. Kohli admitted his mistake during the hearing in front of the referee.

Virat Kohli also got a demerit point

Kohli has also been given a demerit point. Demerit point is a penalty system, which is given to players for their bad behavior or breaking any rule. Players can be banned for more than one Test, ODI or T20 match if they have more than two D-merit points.

What does the Code of Conduct say?

According to the ICC Code of Conduct, shoulder to shoulder is not allowed in cricket, even if unintentionally, except for casually walking or running or bumping into another player. Doing so is considered a violation of ICC Level-1. On the other hand, doing so with an umpire is a Level-3 violation.

Level-1 and Level-2 violations attract 1 to 2 demerit points along with zero to 50 percent of the match fee. Level-3 violations result in a suspension of 6 Tests and 12 ODIs.

Kohli clashed with Australian media

On December 19, Virat Kohli clashed with the Australian media at Melbourne Airport. He was forbidding the media from taking photos of the family, but a Channel-7 journalist took the photo. On this, the Australian media said, the airport is public property.