Batting legend Sunil Gavaskar has advised Virat Kohli to prioritise competitiveness over physical confrontations on the field. This advice comes in the wake of an on-field altercation between Virat Kohli and Australian debutant Sam Konstas on Day 1 of the fourth Test between India and Australia at the MCG on December 26.
ICC then came up with a hefty fine on Kohli and slapped the superstar batter with 20 per cent of his match fee following the 'shoulder-bump' episode with Konstas. Not just this, Kohli was also handed a demerit point. Virat Kohli was charged with breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct. This charge was levelled by on-field umpires Joel Wilson and Michael Gough, third umpire Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid, and fourth umpire Shawn Craig. The former India captain apparently avoided a formal hearing as he accepted the sanctions proposed by match referee Andy Pycroft at the end of the day's play.
"Virat Kohli has been fined 20 percent of his match fee and awarded one demerit point for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct. No formal hearing was needed as Kohli accepted the sanctions proposed by Match Referee Andy Pycroft," the ICC said in a statement.
Sunil Gavaskar's key advice to Virat Kohli following 'shoulder-bump' episode with Sam Konstas
Meanwhile, during an exclusive interaction with Sports Tak, Sunil Gavaskar said that Kohli should strive to establish a legacy as one of the game's greats rather than be remembered for unnecessary aggression on the field.
"When I used to play cricket, we never used to think of doing anything like that to our opponent players. I am not sure what the reason was, but there really was no need for that. We don’t need to have this in any grade of cricket, certainly not at the highest level. You can play very, very competitive cricket without getting physical. And we all want to remember Kohli as one of the greatest cricketers in the game and not as somebody who was fined by the ICC,” Gavaskar told Sports Tak.
“Hopefully, he will learn and not want to repeat this again. Competitiveness is inbuilt in him, we have always seen how he celebrates every wicket and there’s nothing wrong with that. But one should not be getting physical,” he further added.
What India need to do to make a comeback in 4th Test against Australia?
While Virat Kohli endured a challenging day on the field, Sam Konstas had memorable debut day out at the MCG. Replacing Nathan McSweeney in the Australian playing XI, the 19-year-old unleashed a barrage of shots against Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and other Indian bowlers.
Australia enjoyed a successful first day in the Boxing Day Test riding on impressive half-centuries from their top order batters. Sam Konstas contributed with a brilliant 60 runs. Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne also showcased their class with scores of 57 and 72 respectively. Steve Smith remained unbeaten on 68 runs at the close of play when Australia's scoreboard read 311/6.
On being asked about what India need to do on Day 2 to make a comeback in the match, Gavaskar clearly said that bowlers need to fold Australian innings within 350.
"First of all, India should look to wrap up rest of the Australia wickets in the next 30-40 runs and fold them within 350 runs. Indian bowlers must exploit the new ball on Day 2 as the pitch will become more batting friendly with the progression of the match," Gavaskar concluded.