Kohli fined 25% of match fee, pleaded guilty to breaching Level 1 of the code of conduct, also received one demerit point. Photograph:( AFP )
On the Day 3 of the second Test against South Africa at Centurion Indian skipper Virat Kohli was penalised 25 % of match fee for “conduct that is contrary to the spirit of the game.”
Kohli also received one demerit point for his Level 1 offence, along with the fine for breaching ICC's code of conduct.
According to ICC rules, four or more demerit points within a two-year period result in suspension points and two suspension points lead to a ban from one Test or two ODIs or two T20Is, whichever comes first.
Kohli received one demerit point for breaching Level 1 of the code of conduct during third day's play of second South Africa Test https://t.co/NHEDkxMlwd #cricket @icc
— ICC Media (@ICCMediaComms) January 16, 2018
The incident occurred in the 25th over of South Africa’s second innings. The Indian captain was seen complaining to field umpire Michael Gough about the ball being affected by a damp outfield following a shower in the third session. Kohli then threw the ball on to the ground “in an aggressive manner”, field umpires complained to the match referee Chris Broad.
Captain Kohli has accepted the accusation and pleaded guilty to the offence.
Level 1 breach warrants an official reprimand, a maximum penalty of 50% of a player’s match fee, and one or two demerit points, according to the ICC.