Virat Kohli To Face 1 Match Ban Over Sam Konstas Incident? What ICC Rulebook Says

India's talismanic cricketer Virat Kohli finds himself in the spotlight over an avoidable clash with Australian teenager Sam Konstas. As the Aussie debutant took Indian bowlers, including Jasprit Bumrah to cleaners on Day 1 of the 4th Test at the MCG, Kohli looked to unnerve the batter by trying a few tricks in his bag. The India star seemed to have deliberately shoulder-pushed Konstas on Thursday, hoping to get under his nerves, but the act resulted in a huge altercation in the middle. Ex-cricketers like Ricky Ponting and Michael Vaughan even demanded an ICC sanction for Kohli over the incident. Considering the nature of the incident, it is also understood that the matter will be reviewed by ICC.

Sharing his opinion on the incident, Ponting suggested that the umpires and match referee are bound to look at the incident and act against Kohli's attempt to instigate aggression.

"Virat walked one whole pitch over to his right and instigated that confrontation," Ponting said on Channel Seven. "No doubt in my mind whatsoever.

"I have no doubt that the umpires and the referee will have a good look at that. Fielders should be nowhere near the batsman at that stage. Every fieldsman on the ground knows where the batsmen will congregate and get together.

Ponting also defended his countryman, suggesting that the 19-year-old looked up late and couldn't do much to avoid the shoulder push by Kohli.

"It looked to me that Konstas looked up really late, and wouldn't even know anyone was in front of him. That man on-screen there (Kohli) might have a few questions to answer," Ponting said.

Kohli and Konstas come together and make contact #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/adb09clEqd

Even former England captain Michael Vaughan echoed Ponting's