Ishant fined for breaching ICC Code of Conduct

Gangling India paceman Ishant Sharma was fined 15 per cent of his match fee for gesturing towards the pavilion after dismissing Australian batsman James Pattinson during the third day's play in the fourth Test in New Delhi.

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Sharma admitted to the charge and accepted the sanction imposed by ICC Match Referee Ranjan Madugalle.

Through his admission, Sharma was found to have breached Level 1 Article 2.1.6 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel (the ‘Code’), which relates to pointing or gesturing towards the pavilion by a bowler or a fielder upon the dismissal of a batsman during an International Match.

The incident happened on the fourth ball of the 45th over when Sharma, after dismissing Pattinson, repeatedly gestured towards the pavilion while in his follow through.

"Ishant’s reaction after dismissing James Pattinson was inappropriate and clearly in breach of the Code. I’m sure Ishant will learn from this incident and ensure such actions are not be repeated in the future," Madugalle said.

On-field umpires Aleem Dar and Richard Kettleborough, third umpire S.Ravi and fourth umpire Anil Chowdhary brought the charge.

All Level 1 breaches for this offence carry a penalty of a warning/reprimand and/or the imposition of a fine up to 50 per cent of the applicable match fee. As with other breaches at this level, the ICC Match Referee’s decision is final and binding.

Photograph: BCCI