IND va AUS: Ravindra Jadeja fined by ICC for applying cream on finger

Ravindra Jadeja was fined 25 per cent of his match fee and given 1 demerit point by the International Cricket Council on Saturday (February 11) after he was found applying cream to his bowling finger during the first of the four-match Test series against Australia. However, the match referee concluded in his findings that the cream was applied for one therapeutic purpose and it was not an attempt to use an artificial substance to change the state of the ball (unauthorized ball manipulation).

The fine and demerit point for Ravindra Jadeja came when he applied cream to his finger without the permission of the on-field umpires, the ICC said. Jadeja was charged with breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct. The Indian team management explained that the finger spinner was applying cream to the swelling on the index finger of his bowling hand. Notably, Jadeja played his first Test in nearly 6 months after being sidelined with a knee injury.

Jadeja confessed to the offense and there was no need for a formal hearing, the governing body added. "The cream was not applied as an artificial substance to the ball and consequently, it did not change the condition of the ball, which would have been in breach of clause 41.3 of the ICC playing conditions – Unfair Play – The Match Ball – Changing its Condition," the ICC added. 

"Ravindra Jadeja was found to have breached Article 2.20 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to displaying conduct that is contrary to the spirit of the game," the ICC said in a release.