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Sri Lanka vs India: Ishant Sharma fined 65% match fees

Ishant Sharma reacts after getting Lahiru Thirimanne out

Indian pacer Ishant Sharma has been fined 65% of his match fees for the 2nd Test between Sri Lanka and India for two instances of breaching the ICC Conduct of Conduct, according to an ICC press release.

Sharma dismantled the Sri Lanka batting order with his fiery new ball spell during Day 3 of the ongoing 2nd Test in Colombo, dismissing settled batsman Lahiru Thirimanne and 1st Test hero Dinesh Chandimal in the same spell. However, his aggression without the ball in hand during the spell has been sharply reprimanded.

He was fined 15% of his fees for provoking Lahiru Thirimanne, who was also fined for the incident for standing his ground even after the umpire had ruled him out. Sharma was fined an additional 50% for also provoking Dinesh Chandimal after getting him out, soon after the first incident.

Maximum fine imposed on Ishant

The 26-year-old was charged with breaching Level 1 Article 2.1.7 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to “using language, actions or gestures which disparage or which could provoke an aggressive reaction from a batsman upon his/her dismissal during an International Match”, for both the occasions.

The charges were laid by the on-field umpires Bruce Oxenford and Rod Tucker, and third umpire Ruchira Palliyaguruge. All Level 1 breaches carry a minimum penalty of an official reprimand and/or a maximum penalty of 50% of a player’s match fee.

Match referee Andy Pycroft adjudged that the Chandimal incident was the more serious offence – because of ‘circumstances surrounding’ the incident also including a higher degree of aggression – and imposed on the bowler the maximum punishment available to him.

Following close of play on Day 4, Sharma admitted the offences and accepted the proposed sanctions. There was no formal hearing.

If Sharma commits a further breach of Article 2.1.7 within 12 months, it will amount to his third offence and, as such, he will face a sanction of between two and eight Suspension Points. 

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