NEW DELHI: Former Pakistani cricketer Basit Ali has opened up on the recent debate, the current altercation between Virat Kohli and Australian debutant Sam Konstas through the fourth check on the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Thursday.
The incident occurred when Kohli, seemingly pissed off, collided shoulders with Konstas after the latter’s fiery begin with the bat.
READ ALSO: Kohli-Konstas shoulder bump evokes recollections of Rabada-Smith conflict
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Basit expressed his disappointment, saying, “It’s really disheartening to see this controversy. I’ve engaged in sledging as well, but only verbally and in a mannered way. However, what Virat Kohli did today is hard to believe. If someone asks me for my opinion, I’d say a thousand times over that Virat Kohli is guilty.”
“Take Sachin Tendulkar as an example—we sledged against him so much, but he never responded like this; he always answered with his bat. It’s not even been a year since Virat’s son was born. Imagine when his son is 12 or 13 years old, walking somewhere, and someone pushes him in the same way—how would Virat Kohli feel? Virat intentionally collided today, and it was not accidental,” he added.
READ ALSO: Why Virat Kohli was not handed a ban regardless of shoulder-bumping Sam Konstas at MCG
The altercation has led to widespread debates about self-discipline in cricket, with the International Cricket Council (ICC) penalizing Kohli with a 20% match charge superb and awarding him a single demerit level underneath Article 2.12 of the ICC Code of Conduct.which pertains to inappropriate bodily contact. Kohli accepted the sanction with out protest, avoiding a proper listening to and potential suspension.
Several Australian cricket Experts have expressed dissatisfaction with the ICC’s determination, calling it too lenient given the bodily nature of the altercation.
Some argue that top-profile gamers obtain undue leniency, reigniting conversations about consistency in imposing guidelines.
For Kohli, that is his first demerit level since 2019, sparing him a suspension. However, with stricter enforcement, future incidents may entice harsher penalties.
