Kohli close to ban after making 'inappropriate contact'

India captain Virat Kohli is one misstep away from an international suspension after he received an official warning for making "inappropriate physical contact" with an opponent during his side's T20 against South Africa on Sunday.

Kohli was hit with one demerit point for making shoulder contact with Proteas quick Beuran Hendricks while taking a run during India's nine-wicket loss in Bengaluru.

Kohli now has three demerit points on his record from the past two years, one short of the threshold that triggers a suspension.

The 30-year-old copped one demerit point for his behaviour towards an on-field umpire during the Centurion Test against South Africa in January 2018, and another for excessive appealing during his side’s World Cup match against Afghanistan earlier this year.

When a player reaches four or more demerit points within a 24-month period, the player will be banned. It means if Kohli receives another demerit point before January 16 next year – two years on from the Centurion Test – he will cop a suspension. Four demerit points lead to a ban for either one Test matches of two limited-overs internationals.

Demerit points remain on a player's disciplinary record for 24 months from their imposition, after which they are expunged.

India has just started a jam-packed season of cricket at home that will see them face South Africa, Bangladesh and the Windies before they host Australia for three ODIs on January 14, 17 and 19.

On Monday, 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".

He admitted the offence and accepted the sanction.