"Same as what Mohammed Siraj got" - Former England captain questions ICC sanction on Virat Kohli in BGT 2024-25 4th Test

Former England captain Michael Vaughan has slammed the International Cricket Council (ICC) for letting Virat Kohli off the hook while reprimanding him for his altercation with Sam Konstas. The ace Indian batter was fined 20 percent of his match fees and earned a demerit point for barging into the 19-year-old debutant on Day 1 (Thursday, December 26) of the ongoing Boxing Day Test in Melbourne.

A lot was being speculated about Kohli's potential punishment as it involved actual physical contact, something that is strictly prohibited, according to the ICC's guidelines. The prospect of a ban from the upcoming fifth Test was also being considered, given how players have been punished for similar cases in the past.

However, Kohli was fined only 20 percent of his match fees and got one demerit point added to his record. Vaughan opined that Kohli was 'lucky' to get away since his act was easily a Level 2 offense, which warrants a much more severe penalty.

“I think Virat is very lucky. The altercation yesterday wasn’t a great look for him as a person. To take on a 19-year-old, who was just doing what you do at the end of an over. He’s got the same as what Mohammed Siraj got at the Adelaide Oval, so I think he’s got away with it there. just don’t think the monetary fine is going to affect any of the players in this era of the game and it’s more just the precedent it sets,” Vaughan said on Fox Cricket (via Indian Express).

Mohammed Siraj was hit with the same punishment for his aggressive send-off to Travis Head in the second Test at the Adelaide Oval.

"It doesn’t matter who you are, that sort of behavior is not on" - Mark Waugh on Virat Kohli's shoulder barge

Former Australia batter Mark Waugh also disagreed with the match referee's assessment and felt Kohli's credibility and reputation as a superstar helped his case towards a lenient punishment.

“It doesn’t matter who you are, that sort of behavior is not on. He’s extremely lucky that the penalty was very lenient … he could easily have been deemed a level two offence. It should be at least 75 per cent [match fee] if you’re going to make it a monetary fine. It could lead to something more substantial with the players getting involved or the crowd getting involved, if you’re playing in a hostile environment. You just can’t make contact, it’s just not on," Mark Waugh said on Fox Cricket (via The Indian Express).

Australia (454/7 at Lunch on Day 2) have strengthened their hold on the fourth Border-Gavaskar series Test after a relatively dominant first day. Steve Smith has worked his way to yet another hundred as India stare down a mammoth first innings total.