Virat Kohli risks missing 5th BGT 2024-25 Test due to strict ICC regulations following collision with Sam Konstas 

Team India ace batter Virat Kohli could miss the Border-Gavaskar series finale in Sydney if he is penalized according to the International Cricket Council's (ICC) guidelines. He was involved in an altercation with debutant Sam Konstas in the first session of Day 1 (Thursday, December 26) of the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).

At the end of the 10th over, Kohli barged into Konstas, leading to a heated altercation that needed the intervention of fellow players and the on-field umpires. The youngster had riled up the visitors with his onslaught against the new ball after Australia opted to bat first.

Fans and pundits criticized Kohli's behavior as replays suggested that he deliberately walked into Konstas. The entire incident was far from innocuous, with a trip to the match referee's office being deemed inevitable.

However, according to the rule book, Kohli might not walk away with just a fine, as initially assumed. The guidelines state that any form of physical contact is 'prohibited' in cricket.

If match referee Andy Pycroft views the entire incident as a Level 2 offense, Kohli might cop at least three demerit points, which warrants a one-match suspension.

"According to the revised code, when a player reaches four or more demerit points within a 24-month period, they are converted into suspension points and a player is banned. These demerit points remain on a player's disciplinary record for 24 months from their imposition after which they are expunged," ICC's rule states (via ESPNcricinfo).

Former umpire Simon Taufel feels the match officials will dissect the incident at the end of the day's play and let the whole thing slide.

“We don’t want to see any physical contact during the game. It tends to get out-of-control. A lot of adrenaline flowing. Sam Konstas holding his ground. Virat Kohli did the same thing. It’s something out of nothing. We don’t want to see it continue. It’s something they’ll have a look at during maybe a lunch break or even at the end of the day’s play," former umpire Simon Taufel said on Channel 7.

“I tend to think they’ll let that one go. That’s my view at this stage. Let the players say what they want to say. Get a few things off their chest. At times if it goes further, they’ll probably let that one slide," he added.

Virat Kohli was handed a demerit point for 'inappropriate shoulder contact' with Beuran Hendricks in 2019

Kohli was last reprimanded by the ICC over a misconduct charge during the third T20I between India and South Africa at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru in 2019.

The former India skipper had made a shoulder-to-shoulder contact with South Africa pacer Beuran Hendricks while running between the wickets.