Team India get penalized by 5 runs for bizarre incident during 3rd Test against England

India vs England 3rd Test Day 2 is currently underway. The Men in Blue after choosing to bat first are in a formidable position. Skipper Rohit Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja scored a century under pressure after they were reduced to 33/3 at one stage. The two veteran batters showed their full experience. They stitched a partnership of 204 runs for the 4th wicket. Sarfaraz Khan also played a counter-attacking 66-ball 62 run innings but was unfortunately run out on Day 1. 

During the second day, something unusual happened while Ravichandran Ashwin and debutant Dhruv Jurel were batting, the team was penalized 5 runs for, running on the middle of the pitch. He was warned previously by umpire Joel Wilson as he showed five penalty runs to the scorer of the game. Though the veteran off-spinner tried to convey his words the umpire did not shift from the decision given. 

This was not the first time something like this happened during the match, on Thursday, Ravindra Jadeja was found guilty of the same infraction twice and was warned. But, eventually, Team India was penalized five runs for it. The five-run penalty means that the visitors will start their innings for 5/0 when they come out to bat. 

What does the law say?

According to MCC’s law 41.14.1, which comes under the Unfair Play section, "It is unfair to cause deliberate or avoidable damage to the pitch. If the striker enters the protected area in playing or playing at the ball, he/she must move from it immediately thereafter. A batter will be deemed to be causing avoidable damage if either umpire considers that his/her presence on the pitch is without reasonable cause."

The home side after winning the 2nd Test is now on top in the 3rd Test with 374/7 with Jurel and Ashwin there in the crease, as they are eyeing for over 400 runs and have a good score on the board. The former is batting on 19 and the latter is on 24 runs.