The first T20I match of the ongoing 3-match series between India and New Zealand was a memorable one for the Indian cricket fans, not just because India won it comprehensively, but also because it was Ashish Nehra’s last international match for India and he was playing at his home ground in front of a packed house at the Feroz Shah Kotla stadium.
But, during the match there was one moment when the Indian captain was seen using a walkie-talkie in the dugout. Now, this is not allowed during a live match and he was found guilty of violating the rules of International Cricket Council (ICC).
In fact, as per the ICC’s document for Minimum Standards, point 4.3.1 states that “For the avoidance of doubt, none of the foregoing provisions shall operate to prevent: the use of two-way handheld device that uses dedicated frequencies over short distances (i.e. a ‘walkie-talkie’) by Player Support Personnel for the purpose of communication between the dugout and dressing room area for medical and/or tactical reasons only, provided that such communication devices are suitably encrypted to avoid detection by any third part in the nearby vicinity…”
However, after further investigation, ICC has a given clean chit to Virat Kohli because he had taken prior permission from the apex governing body.
Picture of Virat Kohli using a walkie-talkie during the match went viral on the internet.
Kohli is using what looks like a walkie-talkie. Are cricketers allowed to use that during a match? #INDvNZ #T20 #FifteenthOver pic.twitter.com/4vu5wSYPaZ
— Pradeep P Bomble (@pradeeppb26) November 1, 2017
According to standard twenty20 International, Match playing conditions, law 42.12, Use of Electronic Communications Equipment: “The use of electronic communication devices and equipment of any kind to communicate with players on the field of play shall not be permitted, except that broadcaster to player communication shall, with the prior consent of the participating countries, be allowed.”
However, Times Now, one of the leading media houses in India, confirmed the news on Twitter that Virat Kohli was cleared by ICC: “#BREAKING: ICC gives clean chit to Virat Kohli, Virat had sought prior permission from ICC to use walkie-talkie #WalkieTalkieVirat,” Times Now tweeted.
