Jadeja sanctioned by ICC for applying cream without umpires’ knowledge
Ravidra Jadeja was fined 25 percent of his match fee and was handed a demerit point (PIC BCCI)
Ravindra Jadeja has been fined 25% of his match fee and given one demerit point for applying an ointment on his finger without informing the umpires.
“The India team management had explained that the finger spinner was applying the cream to a swelling on the index finger of his bowling hand. This was done without asking for permission from the on-field umpires,” stated the ICC in a media release.
The ICC further explained that the match referee was convinced that the cream was not applied for any other purpose which could have constituted Jadeja being charged with ball-tampering.
“In reaching his decision to sanction the player along with the Level 1 sanction he imposed, the Match Referee was satisfied that the cream was applied to the finger purely for medical purposes. The cream was not applied as an artificial substance to the ball and consequently, it did not change the condition of the ball, which would have been in breach of clause 41.3 of the ICC playing conditions – Unfair Play – The Match Ball – Changing its Condition,” said the ICC statement.
The incident occurred in the 46th over of the first day’s play in Nagpur. Videos on social media showed that Jadeja picking something from the back of Mohammad Siraj’s hand and rubbing it on his left index finger in the vicinity of the umpire and captain Rohit Sharma. Former England captain Michael Vaughan had tweeted saying, “What is it he is putting on his spinning finger ? Never ever seen this.
The Australian team had not lodged a complaint regarding the same. “On-field umpires Nitin Menon and Richard Illingworth, third umpire Michael Gough and fourth umpire KN Ananthapadmanabhan levelled the charge,” stated the ICC in its release.
