KL Rahul fined for breaching ICC Code of Conduct

Indian opener KL Rahul, who was dismissed for 46 in the second innings at The Oval on Saturday, has been fined 15 percent of his match fee for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct during the third day of the fourth Test against England.

Rahul was adjudged caught behind by the third umpire in the 34th over of the Indian innings after snicko showed that there was a clear spike as the ball passed his bat. The on-field umpire, who had originally signaled ‘not out’, overturned the decision, but unhappy with the call, the opener expressed dissent on his way back to the pavilion. 

As a result, the 29-year-old is found to have breached Article 2.8 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to “showing dissent at an Umpire’s decision during an International Match.”

In addition to the 15% fine, the right-hander has also been handed one demerit point for his first offence in a 24-month period.

On-field umpires Richard Illingworth and Alex Wharf, third umpire Michael Gough and fourth official Mike Burns levelled the charges. The ICC have also confirmed that there is no need for a formal hearing as “Rahul admitted the offence and accepted the sanction proposed by Chris Broad of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees and ratified by the ICC Cricket Operations department as per the COVID-19 interim playing regulations.”