Big Blow for India: Virat Kohli suffered punishment for his physical altercation with Australia debutant Sam Konstas at the MCG

IND vs AUS 4th Test: Day 1 of the Boxing Day Test between Australia and India at the Melbourne Cricket Stadium has ended. The hosts won the toss and elected to bat first. The Australian top order made the decision right, as all four top players scored a fifty each. Australia were looking to get to a big score at 237/3 when India pulled things back with some wickets.

Jasprit Bumrah once again was the pick of the bowlers, who took 3/75, while Akashdeep, Ravindra Jadeja, and Washington Sundar took one wicket each. Steve Smith and Pat Cummins (8*) are unbeaten at the stumps. Smith is looking good for another century as he has scored 68 not out from 111 balls.

It won't be wrong to say that the first day belongs to the hosts. It started with some positive batting from the 19-year-old debutant Sam Konstas. He slammed a debut fifty. He made 60 off 65 balls, with six fours and two sixes, and took on Bumrah. That's when there was an ugly altercation captured between him and former Indian captain Virat Kohli on the field.

IND vs AUS 4th Test: Virat Kohli fined 20 percent of his match fee for his physical altercation with Sam Konstas at MCG

The former Indian captain collided with Konstas in the middle, which saw the two engaging in a heated exchange at the pitch. Usman Khawaja had to intervene, putting his hands on the shoulders of Virat with a smile and separating the two. Notably, inappropriate physical contact with a player, umpire, player personnel, or match referee comes under Law 2.12.

As a result, Virat Kohli has been fined for his action on the field. The former captain has admitted his action and has been punished with 20 percent of his match fee. Some reports even claimed that Virat might have to suffer a ban, but he ended with a match fee deduction.

For the visitors, who are already struggling, this is a blow, but they would be happy that there is no ban for Virat. Speaking of the game, Australia finished the day with 311/6. Usman Khawaja (57) and Marnus Labuschagne (72) also made half-centuries. Travis Head was bowled for a duck by Bumrah.

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