'Not harsh enough': Ricky Ponting criticises Virat Kohli's fine for Sam Konstas altercation during MCG Test

Renowned former Australia captain Ricky Ponting has expressed his disapproval of the International Cricket Council's decision to levy a mere 20 percent match fee fine on Indian cricket star Virat Kohli following his altercation with Australian debutant Sam Konstas during the Boxing Day Test at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground. Ponting has criticized the punishment as insufficient, deeming it not severe enough considering the gravity of the incident.

The controversy unfolded during a tense moment in the match when Kohli engaged in physical contact with Konstas by shoulder-bumping him. This incident cast a shadow over an otherwise impressive debut for the 19-year-old Australian batsman, who showcased his talent with a fearless 60-run innings. Konstas notably took on India's pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, scoring 34 runs off him, which included two powerful sixes.

In response to the altercation, the ICC imposed a fine on Kohli amounting to 20 percent of his match fee and also issued one demerit point on his disciplinary record.

In an interview with a local Australian channel prior to day two of the match, Ponting expressed his thoughts.

"Personally, I do not think it [the punishment] was harsh enough. I know there are precedents [where similar infringements have incurred similar-sized penalties] - they have generally been between a 15 and 25 per cent fine but let us have a think about the enormity of yesterday."

Ponting also talked about how something like this could get normalised in the future.

"It is probably the most-watched day of cricket all year all around the world. Imagine if that happens in a grade game on the weekend now, what is going to happen there? I think people are going to think that that is almost acceptable now."

He emphasized the importance of senior players such as Kohli and their responsibilities within the team.

"And unfortunately for someone like Virat, as we got told as players and as senior players, sometimes it is [the scale of punishment] just different for some people. He is a role model, he is somebody the cricketing world looks up to, so I personally do not think that the fine was harsh enough," Ponting asserted.

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