Here's why ICC won't punish Virat Kohli over walkie-talkie use during India vs NZ T20
New Delhi: Team India captain Virat Kohli was on Wednesday seen using a walkie-talkie at the dug-out during the hosts’ innings.
The incident was noticed when openers Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan were cruising, with India’s score reading 139-0 in the 15th over.
The International Cricket Council, in its rules, clearly state that no player would be allowed to use any digital device during a match.
However, Kohli had asked permission to ICC’s Aniti Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU), and had been granted to use it.
According to CNN News 18, a BCCI umpire had stated that if any player asks the match officials for perfmission to use a walkie-talkie, then it would be legal to use the device.
"While it is generally the support staff that uses walkie-talkie devices during a game, a player is also permitted to use the same with prior permission," the official said.
Meanwhile, an ICC official, who did not wish to be named, said that the cricket's governing body has given the Indian skipper a clean chit.
"While walkie talkie is used by support staff to communicate between dug out and the dressing room, Kohli had sought permission from Venue ACU manager before using it," an ICC official told PTI.
The article 4 of ICC's rules on use of communication devices in the player and match official area (PMOA) states the following:
4.1.1 no person shall be allowed to use and/or carry any Mobile Device for any reason whatsoever, whether to access the Internet or otherwise, in the PMOA
4.1.2 no person shall be allowed to use and/or carry, any laptop computer (or any other similar communication device) for any reason whatsoever, whether to access the Internet or otherwise, in the PMOA
4.1.3 no person shall be allowed to use any static / landline (or similar) telephone capable of making calls from inside or receiving calls from outside the PMOA.
The Men in Blue completed their first ever victory against New Zealand in T20s, as they clinched a 53-run win at the Feroz Shah Kotla here.
The second T20 between the two teams will be played at the Saurashtra Cricket Association stadium in Rajkot on Saturday, as Team India look to clinch yet another series.
