India vs England: Ben Stokes warned after applying saliva on the ball in the second ODI

While the cricketers have really done a good job in following the no-saliva on the ball rule that was introduced by the ICC after the game restarted amid the pandemic, sometimes they have made mistakes. On Friday, it was England all-rounder Ben Stokes who forgot the rule and applied saliva on the ball during the second ODI against England at the Maharashtra Cricket Stadium in Pune.

The on-field umpire immediately warned him for his mistake. The first mistake invites a warning from the umpire while the second mistake invites a 5-run penalty on the team which the erring player belongs to. Stokes made the mistake after the second delivery of the 4th over bowled by Reece Topley. The umpire immediately warned the all-rounder. The ICC imposed the saliva ban after the restart in order to ensure the safety of the players and the officials.

“Players will not be permitted to use saliva to shine the ball. If a player does apply saliva to the ball, the umpires will manage the situation with some leniency during an initial period of adjustment for the players, but subsequent instances will result in the team receiving a warning.

“A team can be issued up to two warnings per innings but repeated use of saliva on the ball will result in a 5-run penalty to the batting side. Whenever saliva is applied to the ball, the umpires will be instructed to clean the ball before play recommences,” read the guidelines recommended by the Anil Kumble-led Cricket Committee which were ratified by the ICC Chief Executives’ Committee.

India post huge total:

Talking about the second ODI in Pune, Team India have posted a huge total. Asked to bat first, India rode on KL Rahul‘s century to post a mammoth total of 336 for 6 in the allotted 50 overs. Rahul top-scored with 108 while Rishabh Pant also played a crucial knock of of 77 off just 40 balls. Skipper Virat Kohli also played a fine knock of 66.

For England, Reece Topley and Tom Curran picked up two wickets each. India are leading the three-match series after winning the first ODI by 66 runs. A win in the ongoing game will see the hosts clinch the three-match series with a match in hand.