Speaking to reporters after stumps, Konstas said Kohli bumped into him, but it was not intentional.

“I was just doing my gloves, and I think he accidentally bumped me. I think that’s just cricket and can happen with tension,” said the teenager.

“I think the emotions got to both of us,” Konstas told ‘Channel 7’ during the second session.

The ICC’s Code of Conduct states that “any form of inappropriate physical contact is prohibited in cricket. Without limitation, players will breach this regulation if they deliberately, recklessly and/or negligently walk or run into or shoulder another player or umpire”.

Kohli’s match fee for the game, initially set at Rs 15 lakh, will now be reduced to Rs 12 lakh due to the fine. This is the first demerit point Kohli has received since 2019. Four demerit points within two years lead to a suspension of one Test match.

Konstas, who was batting on 27 at the time of the incident, responded with aggression, hitting Jasprit Bumrah for two boundaries and a six in the next over. The debutant scored a remarkable fifty before being dismissed leg-before-wicket by Ravindra Jadeja.

India’s assistant coach Abhishek Nayar, who addressed the media at the end-of-day press conference, downplayed the incident.

“When you play a game, there will be emotions, but it is not as big as it seems. I wasn’t aware of what happened and don’t know what was said,” Nayar responded when queried about the altercation.