Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja was Sunday fined 50 per cent of his match fee for causing harm to the protected area of the pitch during the third Test against New Zealand, the ICC said.
The incident happened during India’s first innings in the final session of the second day’s play when Jadeja was charged for running in the middle of the pitch.
Jadeja also received three demerit points for breaching the International Cricket Council (ICC) code of conduct which relates to “causing avoidable damage to the pitch”.
If Jadeja reaches four or more demerit points within a 24-month period, they will be converted into at least two suspension points which will equate to a ban from his next match or matches, the ICC said in a statement.
Jadeja admitted the offence and accepted the sanctions proposed by match referee David Boon.
“As such, there was no need for a formal hearing,” the statement added.
Earlier Jadeja’s actions also prompted onfield umpires Kumar Dharmasena and Bruce Oxenford to award five penalty runs to New Zealand.
The tourists started their first innings on five for no loss in reply to India’s 557/5 declared.
India, who took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series after winning their second match in Kolkata, are pushing for a whitewash.
