Ravindra Jadeja Controversy: The Indian cricket team put up incredible teamwork as they defeated the Australian cricket team by an inning and 132 runs in the first Test of the four-match series, which was played at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur.
Ravindra Jadeja Made A Memorable Comeback
India’s star all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, who was returning to action after a long gap of five months, stole the show with his all-around performance. It turned out to be a memorable comeback match for Jadeja. In the first innings, he picked a five-wicket haul and then when he got a chance to bat, he played an impressive knock of 70 runs.
While he has been receiving praise from all corners for his terrific performance, however, he has also found himself under the scanner for a controversial incident that took place on Day 1.
Why Jadeja Got Fined By The ICC?
Well, ICC has taken a strict action against Ravindra Jadeja after videos of him applying something, which was later clarified by the Indian team management as a pain-relief ointment, went crazily viral on the internet towards the end of Day 1 of the first Test against Australia in Nagpur.
Jadeja has been fined 25% of match fees after he was found to have breached Article 2.20 of the ICC Code of Conduct, which relates to displaying conduct that is contrary to the spirit of the game. In addition to this fine, one demerit point has been added to Jadeja’s disciplinary record. This was Jadeja’s first offence in a 24-month period.
For the unversed, the controversial incident took place during the 46th over of Australia’s first innings on Thursday when Jadeja was seen applying a soothing cream to his left index finger. In the viral video, Jadeja took a substance from Mohammed Siraj’s palm and appeared to rub this onto the index finger of his left hand.
“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.
ICC claimed that the Indian all-rounder had done this without the permission of the on-field umpires – Nitin Menon and Richard Illingworth. ICC said:
“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,” the statement added.
“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 website further stated.
Jadeja was reportedly called by the match referee Andy Pycroft at the end of the first day’s play to explain the situation. He was accompanied by captain Rohit Sharma and they explained that it was a pain-relief cream. Though, there were no formal complaints from the Australian team management but it was the on-field umpires Menon and Illingworth, third umpire Michael Gough and fourth umpire KN Ananthapadmanabhan, who levelled the charge at Jadeja.
A BCCI source told PTI that it was an “ointment for pain relief for the sore finger”.
After Jadeja explained the situation, the match referee was satisfied and decided that the cream had no bearing on the condition of the ball.
“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,” ICC said.
There was no need for a formal hearing as Ravindra Jadeja admitted the offence and accepted the sanction proposed by match referee Andy Pycroft.
Notably, the 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.
