“Embarrassing for the ICC and world cricket”: Was Virat Kohli given special treatment?

Bharat Sundaresan and Tom Morris have expressed their disappointment with the ICC for not having the courage to suspend Virat Kohli for his bump on Aussie debutant Sam Konstas in the first innings on Boxing Day.

The Indian veteran was fined 20 per cent of his match fee and was found to have breached the ICC Code of Conduct for Players in regard to inappropriate physical contact.

However, it was only graded as a level one breach. Morris believes they have gone soft on Kohli and should be called out for it.

“20 per cent of his match fee is dirt change for a man of Kohli’s wealth and I wasn’t surprised, but I was disappointed,” Morris said.

“Clearly Kohli made contact with him intentionally and clearly it was inappropriate.

“I think it’s embarrassing for the ICC and world cricket that that doesn’t get called out on a more significant and considerable level.”

Sundaresan agrees, saying he wouldn’t be surprised if this sanction was downgraded simply because of Kohli’s enormous stature.

“It’s going to be an inside that will be re-watched and will do the rounds for a long time to come,” he said.

“It was so unnecessary and a little sad really. You have someone of his status and for him to try and intimidate a kid who is out there on debut having fun, who has in the past talked about how he looks up to (Kohli) – and for no reason.

“It’s so out of line and if it was anybody else, you have to stick your neck out and say it, if it wasn’t Virat Kohli, even if it was another Indian cricketer, I can see a world where it’s not just a reprimand, but a much more serious sanction.”

Day 2 of the Boxing Day Test gets underway on Friday and you can hear every ball of the action LIVE on SEN.