Sam Konstas: Furious Australians slam 'cowardly' and 'pathetic' cricket bosses after Virat Kohli hears his shoulder slap punishment

Cricket fans have reacted with outrage after Indian star Virat Kohli was fined instead of banned after admitting to slamming his shoulder into Australian teenage sensation Sam Konstas during a dramatic opening Boxing Day Test.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) confirmed on Thursday evening that Kohli had been given one demerit point, meaning he avoids a ban that would have knocked him out of the Sydney Test and imposed 20 per cent of his match fees.

Referees Joel Wilson and Michael Gough, third umpire Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid and fourth umpire Shawn Craig all reported Kohli.

He admitted the offense and accepted the penalty from Andy Pycroft, who is taking part as a match referee in his 100th test.

The ICC said Kohli 'walked towards batsman Sam Konstas and carelessly bumped his shoulder with the batsman'.

The flashpoint comes days after the Indian superstar criticized local media upon arriving in Melbourne.

Pictured: The moment Virat Kohli smashed his shoulder into Australian teenage debutant Sam Konstas on the first day of the Boxing Day Test

Kohli is free to play in the Sydney Test after the International Cricket Council opted not to ban him over the ugly act

Konstas' teammate Usman Khawaja (centre) had to come between him and Kohli to resolve the situation after the 19-year-old hit back at the former Indian skipper with a verbal tirade

Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting was in no doubt that Kohli had initiated the contact, with the Indian veteran and the Australian teenager colliding after the 10th over.

“Look at how Virat walks. Virat walked a full pitch to the right and caused that confrontation – without a doubt in my mind,” Ponting said on Seven Network.

Both Australian and Indian fans condemned Kohli's actions and were outraged that the ICC did not deem the incident worthy of a ban.

Former Australian cricket star Darren Berry wrote on X: '20% and 1 negative point. Change directions to intentionally connect with a child making their debut. What a spineless, pathetic, manipulated outcome that confirms what we all already know. After 12 hours of cricket, I take my bat and ball and go home.”

“Absolute joke but absolutely predictable,” one fan wrote on the social media platform.

Others claimed the light punishment was a result of the ICC fearing being sidelined by the powerful Board for Control of Cricket in India (BCCI).

'Soft decision. Typical. Oh, let's not insult the Indians,” another commenter added.

'What a shame. Total cowardice of the ICC. Imagine my surprise,” wrote a fourth.

'No one expected a suspension. Besides the fact that the incident isn't that big of a deal, he's Indian. The India Cricket Council does not suspend Indian players – or officials – or corrupt franchise owners.”

Former Australian cricket star Darren Berry led the chorus of condemnation when news broke that Kohli had dodged a ban

Several commentators claimed that the ICC has failed to suspend the star because it is afraid of getting on the wrong side of India's powerful Board of Control of Cricket.

Indian fans criticized their former skipper when the clash was reported in their local media.

'Such a disgraceful act. Kohli completely lost his respect,” a reader wrote in a Times of India with a long list of comments criticizing the 36-year-old.

“Kohli is once again showing his frustration on the field as he cannot perform. He is humiliating cricket and our nation over baseless antics,” another added.

'Big joker this Kohli. Show your aggression with a bat, and don't bully children. Useless guy,” a third wrote.

Konstas clearly infuriated the tourists on his astonishing Test debut – moments before he and Kohli bumped shoulders, paceman Mohammed Siraj had given the teenager a mouthful.

After being fired for 60 years, Konstas said the incident took him by surprise.

'I think the emotions got to both of us. I didn't quite realize I was doing my gloves and then a little shoulder load. It happens, it's cricket,” he told the Seven Network.

Immediately after contact, Konstas turned around in surprise and Kohli responded, as if to suggest it was the Australian's fault.

Fellow opener Usman Khawaja, an amused spectator of Konstas' firecrackers, intervened and put his arm around Kohli as he played the peacemaker.

Konstas responded to a shoulder charge by hitting 18 runs in his next over

Gough also had words with Kohli and Konstas at the time.

Indian great Ravi Shastri, who was Kohli's Indian coach, was not impressed.

“That is completely unnecessary, we don't want to see that,” Shastri told Fox Sports.

“Virat is a senior player, he has been captain… he will have his own explanations about that, but that is something you don't want to see.

The Australian debutant reacted to the incident in the best possible way, taking the first ball of Jasprit Bumrah's next ball for four on his way to 60.

“(Konstas) definitely turned their nose up a little bit,” Ponting said.

“Yes, he confused them. Yes, it's up their nose. Yes, there is some frustration.'

Kohli had a poor start to his visit to Melbourne for the Boxing Day Test, taking aim at local TV reporters as they filmed members of his family at the airport.