South Africa vs India 2018: Virat Kohli fined for breaching ICC code of conduct

Indian captain Virat Kohli has been fined 25 percent of his match fee and received one demerit point for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct during day three of the second Test between India and South Africa at the Supersport Park in Centurion on Monday.

Kohli was found to have breached Article 2.1.1 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which is intended to cover all types of conduct of a minor nature that is contrary to the spirit of the game and which is not specifically and adequately covered by the specific offences set out elsewhere in 5 this Code of Conduct. The spirit of the game is defined by reference to the Preamble to the ICC Standard Test Match, ODI and T20I Playing Conditions and involves respect for (a) your opponents, (b) your captain and team, (c) the role of the umpires and (d) the game and its traditional values.

When the play resumed after a brief rain break in the third session of day 3, Kohli was constantly arguing with the on-field umpires as the ball was getting wet whenever it went to the outfield. When the players were asked to leave the field again, this time due to bad light, a fuming Kohli was seen walking straight to the match referee Chris Broad and complained about this.

Soon after, he was joined by team manager Sunil Subramaniam and coach Ravi Shastri and the Indian skipper had a brief argument with the former English international.

When the play resumed after a one-hour rain break, the ball picked up moisture whenever it went to the outfield, making it difficult for the pacers to reverse the ball. Adding to this, off-spinner Ashwin, who looked threatening in the second session, was struggling to grip the wet ball.

When conditions became easier for the bowlers - they started to move the cherry around - the umpires stopped play for bad light after just 5.1 overs being bowled in between both the breaks.