Sunil Gavaskar Criticizes Umpires and Australian Batters in Boxing Day Test
The fourth Test between India and Australia opened at the MCG. It was a rollercoaster. Australian batters dominated early, but Indian bowlers fought back. Sam Konstas (60), Usman Khawaja (57), Marnus Labuschagne (72), and Steve Smith (68) all scored fifties. But Jasprit Bumrah saved India again, taking three key wickets. The match is now evenly poised.
However, the match caught Sunil Gavaskar and Irfan Pathan’s attention. It was a controversy over Australian batters running on the pitch while taking runs. The umpires appeared to ignore it.
Gavaskar and Pathan Question Umpires’ Role
The official broadcasters’ panel included commentators Sunil Gavaskar and Irfan Pathan. They were annoyed by the lack of intervention from the on-field umpires. Australian batters Sam Konstas and Marnus Labuschagne had repeatedly run on the protected area of the pitch.
Commentary Exchange on the Incident:
Irfan Pathan: “Rohit Sharma is telling Marnus Labuschagne, when you are running on the pitch, you are doing it in the middle of the strip.”
Sunil Gavaskar: “Even Sam Konstas. He was running straight on the pitch. Nobody told him anything.”
Irfan Pathan: “This is the job of the umpires.”
Sunil Gavaskar: “The umpires are just watching. The discussion that is going on between Rohit and Marnus Labuschagne, the umpires are just watching.”
🗣 #RohitSharma gets disappointed, warns #Labuschagne for running on the pitch during the #BoxingDayTest 🧐#AUSvINDOnStar 👉 4th Test, Day 1 LIVE NOW! | #ToughestRivalry #BorderGavaskarTrophy pic.twitter.com/iNGMjtGXXQ
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) December 26, 2024
The incident raised questions about the umpires’ failure to enforce rules and ensure fair play.
Kohli’s Altercation With Konstas Adds to the Drama
On Day 1, Virat Kohli was fined 20% of his match fee and given a demerit point after a fight with debutant Sam Konstas. The incident occurred after the 10th over. The two players bumped shoulders while crossing the pitch.
Kohli was charged with breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct. The on-field umpires, Joel Wilson and Michael Gough, reported the incident. So did third umpire Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid and fourth umpire Shawn Craig. Kohli accepted the sanctions proposed by match referee Andy Pycroft. This avoided a formal hearing.
ICC’s Statement on the Incident:
“Virat Kohli has been fined 20 percent of his match fee and awarded one demerit point for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct,” the ICC said in a statement.
“No formal hearing was needed as Kohli accepted the sanctions propsed by Match Referee Andy Pycroft,” it added.
A Controversial Day at the MCG
Day 1 of the Boxing Day Test wasn’t short on controversy. Australian batters set the tone with dominant performances. But, there was sharp criticism of Konstas and Labuschagne’s actions. So, too, of the umpires’ inaction. The Kohli-Konstas fight overshadowed the thrilling cricket. It fueled the fire.
