DUBAI: Indian spinner Ravindra Jadeja has been fined 25 per cent of his match fee and was also awarded a demerit point by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for applying a soothing cream on his index finger without informing the on-field umpires. 

The spinner, who made a sensational return in the first Test against Australia, sparked a controversy when he was spotted rubbing some substance to his finger with a ball in his hand during the opening day’s play. His mysterious actions even invited allegations of ball tampering.

International Cricket Council on Saturday penalized Jadeja for using ointment on his finger without the umpire’s permission and ruled out any possibility of ball tampering.

“Ravindra Jadeja was found to have breached Article 2.20 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to displaying conduct that is contrary to the spirit of the game,” the ICC said on its official website.

“Jadeja admitted the offence and accepted the sanction proposed by Andy Pycroft of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees, so there was no need for a formal hearing.” 

“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.” the statement added.

Jadeja took 5-47 in the first innings and went on to earn a player-of-the-match award after hitting 70 with the bat and then adding two more wickets to help India seal a commanding win in the opening Test by an inning and 132 runs.

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