Virat Kohli Reprimanded For Shouldering Beuran Hendricks During Third T20I, Receives One Demerit Point 1
Virat Kohli. Credits: BCCI Twitter

Indian skipper Virat Kohli has been reprimanded by ICC for shouldering South Arica pacer Beuran Hendricks during the third and the final T20I of the series on Sunday. Kohli had shouldered Hendricks while taking a single during India’s innings. Replays had shown the pacer was left surprised by the contact.

Also Read: Sunil Gavaskar, Harsha Bhogle ask for India’s no.4 batsman in KBC style

“Kohli was found to have 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,” a statement from ICC read as.

Virat Kohli Reprimanded For Shouldering Beuran Hendricks During Third T20I, Receives One Demerit Point 2

Apart from being reprimanded, one demerit point was also added to Kohli’s account. Should one more point be added to his account before January 2020, he will face suspension.

As per the rules, four demerits between 24 months lead to a suspension of 1 Test or 2 ODIs/T20Is. Hence, if another demerit point is added to his account during the upcoming South Africa series, Kohli will be suspended for a Test match.

His first offence had come during the Test series against South Africa in 2018. The second offence had come during the World Cup 2019 game against Afghanistan.

The Indian skipper did not have a good run in the third T20I as he could just manage 9 off 15. Opting to bat first, India challenged themselves as the Chinnaswamy stadium is always known to be a chasing ground.

Also Read: England consider taking gloves off Jonny Bairstow for New Zealand Tests

The batsmen could not do well and the home side just managed a total of 134/9 in 20 overs. Kagiso Rabada, who did not have a good start with the ball, ended with figures of 3/39.

Quinton de Kock
Quinton de Kock. Credits: BCCI

Coming into the chase the target, South African openers had a great start with Quinton de Kock and Reeza Hendricks putting up 76 runs for the first wicket. De Kock continued his form and scored 79* off 52 to help the visitors chase the target in 16.5 overs.

With this win, South Africa levelled the series 1-1.

The two teams will now square off in a three-match Test series starting October 2. The first Test starts on October 2 in Vizag. The second and the third Test will be played from October 10 and 19 in Pune and Ranchi, respectively.