RAJKOT: India were penalised five runs after the umpire charged batter Ravichandran Ashwin for running in the middle of the pitch in the third Test against England here on Friday.
Ashwin was reprimanded by on-field umpire Joel Wilson on the morning of day two in Rajkot and England will start their innings with five for no loss as a result of the offence.
Ashwin attempted to argue his case with Wilson, who then put his arm around the batsman’s shoulder and indicated five to signal the penalty.
According to the laws of cricket, “deliberate or avoidable damage to the pitch” is an offence.
“It is unfair to cause deliberate or avoidable damage to the pitch. If the striker enters the protected area in playing or playing at the ball, he/she must move from it immediately thereafter,” law 41.14 states.
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“A batter will be deemed to be causing avoidable damage if either umpire considers that his/her presence on the pitch is without reasonable cause.”
Prior to Ashwin, fellow spinner Ravindra Jadeja was also warned for running on the pitch on the opening day.
England will now start their first innings with five runs on the board after being awarded the penalty runs in the 102nd over of India’s first innings.
Former England captain Alastair Cook called out Ashwin for deliberately run in the danger zone to gain an advantage during bowling in England’s innings.
“Is it deliberate? Yes, it is,” Cook said. “It’s a tactical ploy that you can disturb the middle of the wicket because Ashwin wants as much help [as possible] when he can bowl.”
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