Australian cricket great Mark Waugh has taken aim at the ICC after their "very lenient" sanction of Virat Kohli stemming from a Boxing Day incident.
The superstar Indian batter dropped a shoulder into debutant Sam Konstas in a heated moment in the middle of the MCG, prompting plenty of debate on social media.
Kohli has since been slapped with a level one breach by the game's governing body, which will result in a monetary fine worth 20 per cent of his match fee.
FOLLOW LIVE: Australia vs India first Test, day two
The 36-year-old however escaped suspension and will be free to play in the fifth Test at the SCG.
Speaking on the Fox Cricket broadcast at the start of day two, Waugh admitted the punishment handed down to Kohli left him surprised.
Virat Kohli has come under fire after a physical altercation with Sam Konstas. Â Getty
"It doesn't matter who you are, that sort of behaviour is not on," he said.
"He's extremely lucky that the penalty was very lenient … he could easily have been deemed a level two offence.
"It should be at least 75 per cent [match fee] if you're going to make it a monetary fine.
"It could lead to something more substantial with the players getting involved or the crowd getting involved, if you're playing in a hostile environment.
"You just can't make contact, it's just not on."
Kohli has long been a fiery customer on the field, but has historically maintained his composure and it was a rare sight to see him get physical.
English legend Michael Vaughan was stunned to see Kohli escape with a similar sanction to what Mohammed Siraj did earlier in the series for a verbal stoush with Travis Head.
"I think Virat is very lucky," he said.
"The altercation yesterday wasn't a great look for him as a person. To take on a 19-year-old, who was just doing what you do at the end of an over.
"He's got the same as what Mohammed Siraj got at the Adelaide Oval, so I think he's got away with it there.
"I just don't think the monetary fine is going to affect any of the players in this era of the game and it's more just the precedent it sets."
