BIPIN DANI
In what should have been a celebration of sportsmanship and skill, the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground was marred by an incident that left many in the cricketing community disappointed. The altercation between Virat Kohli and Sam Konstas during the opening session has sparked widespread criticism and reflection on the spirit of the game.
Former ICC Australian umpire, Daryl Harper, who has witnessed Kohli’s journey from his debut Test in Jamaica in June 2011, expressed his dismay at the turn of events. Harper reminisced about officiating Kohli’s first match, where his enthusiasm bordered on excessive, leading to a caution from ICC Match Referee Jeff Crowe. Harper stated, “I vividly recall that my colleague Ian Gould & I asked ICC Match Referee Jeff Crowe to take him aside and explain that his persistent and unnecessary appealing was not the acceptable behaviour for players at the Test level.”
Harper noted that despite Kohli’s fiery debut, the West Indian players, led by Darren Sammy, displayed exemplary sportsmanship. “I can also recall that none of the West Indian players targeted the young Kohli on his debut with any kind of deliberate physical contact. In fact, I can’t recall any verbal comments from Darren Sammy’s team towards any opponent. They understood the meaning of the Spirit of Cricket.”
Reflecting on the recent incident, Harper expressed his disappointment at Kohli’s actions against Konstas. “To see any player take a course that ensured contact with an opponent as Kohli clearly did with Konstas in the opening session on the big stage at the MCG was quite deflating for anyone who cares about our wonderful game.”
The true test now lies with the ICC Match Referee’s response. Harper warned, “What will be more deflating will be if the ICC Match Referee is found wanting and opts for the quiet life rather than responding as the Playing Conditions require. Let’s hope that cricket is the winner & that this behaviour doesn’t become commonplace at other levels of cricket down to the grassroots.”
The ICC eventually fined Kohli 20% of his match fee and handed him a demerit point for the “unnecessary” contact.
Harper’s message is clear: the spirit of cricket must prevail, and such incidents should not become commonplace. The onus is on the cricketing authorities to ensure that respect and sportsmanship remain at the forefront of the game, preserving its cherished values for generations to come.
