Indian captain Virat Kohli has been fined 25% of his match fee and has also got one demerit point for breaching ICC Code of Conduct in the second Test match against South Africa in Centurion.
An incident on third day of the play was the cause for it.
Monday’s incident happened in the 25th over of South Africa’s second innings when Kohli continued to complain to umpire Michael Gough about the ball being affected by a damp outfield following a rain delay, before throwing the ball into the ground in an aggressive manner.
After the day’s play, Kohli pleaded guilty to the offence and accepted the sanction proposed by Chris Broad of the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Match Referees and, as such, there was no need for a formal hearing.
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The charge was levelled by on-field umpires Michael Gough and Paul Reiffel, third umpire Richard Kettleborough and fourth umpire Allahudien Palekar.
Level 1 breaches carry a minimum penalty of an official reprimand, a maximum penalty of 50 per cent of a player’s match fee, and one or two demerit points.
Article 2.1.1 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel relates to “conduct that is contrary to the spirit of the game.”
Demerit Points
If a player gets four demerit points within 24 months, he gets a one Test or two-limited over game ban. If he gets eight demerit points within 24 months, the ban doubles.
Who decides what level of offence has been committed and how many demerit points a player should receive?
In most cases, it is the on-field umpires who report offences to the match referee. He then decides on the number of demerit points and informs the player or team of his decision. The player and team can then contest it, which would lead to a hearing.
