One more act of on-field aggression may earn Virat Kohli a ban from international cricket

In a statement, the ICC said: “Kohli was found to have breached Article 2.12 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to “Inappropriate physical contact with a Player, Player Support Personnel, Umpire, Match Referee or any other person (including a spectator) during an International Match.”

Kohli had an inappropriate shoulder contact with pacer Beuran Hendricks during the third T20I against South Africa.

The Indian skipper’s tally of demerit points has increased to three after getting one demerit point during the Pretoria Test against South Africa in 2018 and another against Afghanistan in the World Cup 2019.

India will now play three Test matches against South Africa. Later, India will host Bangladesh for three T20Is and two Tests in November, and then play bilateral series against West Indies, Zimbabwe, Australia and New Zealand.

As per the rule book, when a player notches up four or more demerit points within a 24-month period, the player is suspended. This means if Kohli receives another demerit point before January 16, 2020 – two years from the Centurion Test – he will be suspended.

What does ICC rule book say?

1. When a player reaches four or more demerit points within a 24-month period, they are converted into suspension points and a player is banned

2. Two suspension points equate to a ban from one Test or two ODIs or two T20Is, whatever comes first for the player

3. Demerit Points to remain on a Player or Player Support Personnel’s disciplinary record for a period of twenty-four (24) months from their imposition following which they will be expunged.