ICC favored Virat Kohli? Sunil Gavaskar delivers 'can’t hang a man' verdict on 'light punishment'

Legendary India opener Sunil Gavaskar has opened up on the fine received by Virat Kohli for his infamous altercation with Sam Konstas during the Boxing Day Test between Australia and India in Melbourne.

Recently, Virat Kohli received a fine of 20 percent of his match fees for deliberately trying to collide his shoulder with Konstas during the field of play. Cricket is not a physical sport and players can receive heft punishment for deliberate physical contact during the field.

After the announcement of Kohli's punishment, the International Cricket Council (ICC) was heavily criticized by former Australian cricketers like Ricky Ponting and Kerry O'Keeffe and the media for treating the matter delicately because of Virat Kohli's involvement in it.

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Sunil Gavaskar tears apart Australian media on Virat Kohli-Sam Konstas altercation

While speaking to Star Sports, Sunil Gavaskar defended Virat Kohli on the fine that he received from the ICC. Gavaskar claimed that it is not Kohli's fault if that is the maximum punishment decided by the ICC.

"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 favour," Gavaskar said.

The former India opener further explained his opinion and claimed that the ICC has allowed a maximum of Level 1 offence for such deliberate contacts during a game. He slammed the Australian media for trying to create a big issue since it is related to Kohli.

"If, for example, the fine was 10 percent, then you could have said ‘ah, he has been done a favour’. 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," Sunil Gavaskar explained.

"No special favours 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," he added.

Previous instances of similar incidents

Further elaborating on ICC's rule, Sunil Gavaskar reminded the Australian media of some of the previous instances when the players had just received fines for making physical contact and no one questioned those decisions.

"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 Pycroft was the match referee," Gavaskar noted.

"Jasprit Bumrah was also reprimanded for Level 1 physical contact for physical contact with England’s Ollie Pope," he mentioned.

What was the whole incident?

After the end of the 10th over in Australia's innings on Day 1, Virat Kohli and Sam Konstas were involved in a shoulder barrage with each other. Kohli seemed to deliberately change his path after the over and collided his shoulder with Konstas.

After the shoulder collision, Kohli looked back and exchanged a few verbal volleys with the Australian debutant. Konstas didn't hang back and responded back to Kohli. Usman Khawaja, who was at the other end, had to step in to calm things down later.

After the end of the day's play, match referee Andy Pycroft announced a fine of 20 percent match fees and one demerit point for Virat Kohli. The 36-year-old veteran accepted the mistake and it didn't require any further hearing.