India vs England 2021: Ben Stokes caught applying saliva on ball, umpire issues warning
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Ben Stokes
During the ongoing pink ball Test between India and England, all-rounder Ben Stokes was seen applying saliva on the ball. Following the incident, which took place in the 12th over, the ball was sanitised as the umpire issued Stokes a warning. Using saliva to shine the ball is a common practice. But it has been restricted by the ICC following the pandemic.
As per the new regulations, a team can be issued up to two warnings per innings. But repeated use of saliva on the ball will result in a five-run penalty to the batting side. Whenever saliva is applied to the ball, the umpires have to clean it before play recommences.
India in the driver’s seat
India ended the first day well and truly in the driver’s seat after a terrific bowling performance led by Axar Patel’s six-wicket-haul. India bowled out England for just 112 in the first innings of the third Test at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. England had earlier won the toss and chosen to bat first. They opted for a plethora of changes with the likes of James Anderson, Jofra Archer, Jonny Bairstow and Zak Crawley coming in. India had Jasprit Bumrah and Washington Sundar coming in.
In reply, India saw out 5 overs in the twilight session before Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill started to open up a bit. The latter was removed by Archer and Cheteshwar Pujara was cheaply dismissed by Jack Leach. But Rohit kept going and got to a well-deserved fifty in the company of Virat Kohli. The Indian skipper was bowled in the last over of the day by Leach as India ended on 99/3.
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Anshuman Mahapatra
(1496 Articles Published)