Virat Kohli: ICC reprimands Indian Captain for inappropriate behaviour

Indian captain Virat Kohli is not just six ODI centuries away from Sachin Tendulkar’s world record, but he is also the only cricketer in the world to simultaneously hold an average of over 50 in all three formats of the game. Even in India’s victory in the second T20I against the visiting South Africans, Virat Kohli smashed an unbeaten 72 off just 52 deliveries to guide his team to a 1-0 lead in the three-match T20I series. The lead, however, was squandered in Bengaluru when team India lost the deciding game of the series. To make things worse, the Indian captain was also reprimanded by the ICC for inappropriate behaviour against the opposition during the game.

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ICC reprimands Virat Kohli

According to the official statement made by the ICC, Virat Kohli was found guilty of a Level 1 breach of ICC’s code of conduct. This was his third instance since the ICC revised their code in September 2016. His first demerit point came against the same opponent last year, when the Indian team toured South Africa. His second demerit point came this year in an ICC World Cup game against Afghanistan. 

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The event transpired during the fifth over of the Indian innings. Kohli, while completing a run, made contact with South African pacer Beuran Hendricks. He was found to have breached Article 2.12 of ICC’s code of conduct and accordingly, he was summoned by match referee Richie Richardson after the match. Virat admitted to the offence and paid 50 per cent of his match fees. 

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Captain Kohli’s upcoming fixtures

With India’s nine-wicket hammering in the third T20I, the visitors ensured that the series ended in a 1-1 draw. The drawn T20I series will now be followed by the ‘Freedom Trophy’ Test matches between the two cricketing giants. The Test series will also launch South Africa’s campaign in the ongoing ICC World Test Championship. The first Test will be played at Dr Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA–VDCA Cricket Stadium in Vishakhapatnam on October 2, 2019. 

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