“No special favors have been done to him” - Indian legend backs Virat Kohli over Sam Konstas controversy in BGT 2024-25 4th Test

Former India cricketer and legendary batter Sunil Gavaskar has come out in support of Virat Kohli, saying no special favors were done to him in the shoulder-barging incident. Gavaskar's stance comes after the Australian media, unhappy with Kohli's punishment, accused the International Cricket Council (ICC) of being lenient towards the ace India batter. Kohli was also slammed by former cricketers Ricky Ponting and Mark Waugh.

Kohli is under the scanner once again after his heated exchange with Australian debutant Sam Konstas on the opening day (Thursday, December 26) of the ongoing fourth Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 Test in Melbourne.

Kohli was fined 20% of his match fees by the ICC and earned one demerit point. While many were expecting the Indian cricketer to face a one-match suspension, he was just fined. Many former Australian cricketers have suggested that Virat Kohli was lucky to get away and escape a ban.

"Yes, you would say that the punishment may be light, considering the experience that he has had. But, that’s the maximum punishment that is decided by the ICC. He has not been done any favor," Sunil Gavaskar said on Star Sports (via India Today).

Andy Pycroft, the match referee, charged Kohli with a Level 1 offense, which is the lowest punishment for physical contact on the field.

"If, for example, the fine was 10 percent, then you could have said, ‘Ah, he has been done a favor.’ But, the fine for a Level 1 offence is maximum a 20 percent. I am not 100 percent on that, but I am given to understand that there is one demerit point and a fine. That’s the maximum allowed, that’s what has been levied on him," Gavaskar added.

The Australian media believes Virat Kohli got away because of his stature in world cricket. However, Gavaskar disagreed, saying:

"No special favors have been done to him. You can’t hang a man for picking someone’s picket. That’s what the Australian media is asking for. The Australian media think they got away because he is Kohli. But, that is not the thing."

---

Gavaskar highlights previous instances after Virat Kohli-Sam Konstas controversy

Virat Kohli was also handed a demerit point apart from being fined. Sunil Gavaskar threw light on a few past instances, citing examples of Irish pacer Josh Little and Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah.

Little was fined 15% of his match fees for physical contact with Sikandar Raza in a T20I against Zimbabwe last year. Bumrah was reprimanded for physical contact with English batter Ollie Pope during a Test earlier this year.

"I know in this particular year, there have been four such incidents in which there have been fines. Last December, Ireland bowler Josh Little was fined 15 percent for a physical contact with a batter, a Level 1 offence. In that game, Andy Pycrot was the match referee. Jasprit Bumrah was also reprimanded for Level 1 physical contact for physical contact with England’s Ollie Pope," Gavaskar highlighted in the same discussion.