India captain Virat Kohli has received a demerit point and an official warning for an ‘inappropriate’ shoulder contact with South Africa pacer Beuran Hendricks while taking a run during the third T20I in Bengaluru on Sunday. Kohli was found guilty of a Level 1 breach of the ICC Code of Conduct.
The incident occurred on the fourth ball of the fifth over, bowled by Hendricks, when Kohli pulled a delivery to deep midwicket and rubbed his right shoulder with Hendricks’ right while completing a run.
According to a release issued by the International Cricket Council (ICC) , Kohli breached Article 2.12 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to “Inappropriate physical contact with a Player, Player Support Personnel, Umpire, Match Referee or any other person (including a spectator) during an International Match.”
It was Kohli’s third offence since the demerit point system was introduced in 2016. He received one demerit point each during the Centurion Test against South Africa in January last year and against Afghanistan during a World Cup match on June 22, 2019.
According to the revised code, when a player reaches four or more demerit points within a 24-month period, they are converted into suspension points, and a player is banned. These demerit points remain on a player’s disciplinary record for 24 months from their imposition after which they are expunged.
Kohli admitted the offence and accepted the sanction proposed by match referee Richie Richardson which meant there was no need for a formal hearing. The charge was levelled by on-field umpires Nitin Menon and CK Nandan, third umpire Anil Chaudhary and fourth official C Shamshuddin.
Meanwhile, captain Kohli had led India to a comprehensive win in the second T20I against South Africa on Wednesday (September 18) after the first match was washed out. However, the strong Indian batting unit failed miserably on Sunday as South Africa romped home to a nine-wicket victory while chasing 135 to win.
The three-match series was drawn 1-1 and India lost the chance to secure their first-ever T20I series win over South Africa at home.
