Watch: Virat Kohli risks penalty after striking dustbin in anger following controversial dismissal

Watch: In an IPL 2024 match at the Eden Gardens, Virat Kohli hit a dustbin after his controversial dismissal.

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Royal Challengers Bengaluru came out in pursuit of 222 against the Kolkata Knight Riders. Virat Kohli raced to 18 off the first six balls he faced as RCB, 27-0 after two overs, remained in the hunt.

Then Harshit Rana bowled a slow full toss. Kohli, standing outside the crease, tried to defend, but the ball took a leading edge and lobbed back to Rana. Given out, Kohli was visibly displeased as he fumed off the ground.

The official broadcasters later confirmed that the decision had been correct. The ball would have passed the popping crease at 0.92m above the ground level – in other words, lower than Kohli’s waist height (1.04m) at upright stance.

Kohli was not amused by the dismissal. On his way back, he struck the ground with his bat. Then, with a shove of his hand, he upturned a dustbin.

Article 2.2 of the IPL Code of Conduct (Abuse of cricket equipment or clothing, ground equipment or fixtures and fittings during a Match) lists “any action(s) outside the course of normal cricket actions, such as hitting or kicking the wickets and any action(s) which deliberately (i.e. intentionally), recklessly or negligently (in either case even if accidental) results in damage to the advertising boards, boundary fences, dressing room doors, mirrors, windows and other fixtures and fittings.”

The Code also cites an example: “This offence may be committed, without limitation, when a Player swings his/her bat vigorously in frustration and causes damage to an advertising board.”

It is not clear whether dustbins qualify as “other fixtures”. There has been no update on whether Kohli’s act resulted in its “damage”. If both hold, Kohli runs the risk of having committed a Level 1 offence. If that indeed happens, he will have to pay a fine of up to 50% of his match fees, since this would be his first offence of the season.

Kohli might also have violated Article 2.8 (Showing dissent at an Umpire’s decision during a Match). The Code states that the seriousness of the breach will depend on, among other aspects, “whether the conduct contains an element of anger or abuse which is directed at the Umpire or the Umpire’s decision.”

If Kohli is found guilty of violation of Article 2.8, he may be charged with up to a Level 2 offence (a fine between 50 and 100 percent of match fee and a suspension of up to two matches), though it is likelier to be a Level 1 offence.