On February 16, 2024, on the second day of the third test match between India and England, a shocking incident occurred that resulted in a five-run penalty for India. This incident took place in the 102nd over of India’s first innings at the Niranjan Shah Cricket Stadium, Rajkot.
The umpire, Joel Wilson, handed a five-run penalty to India due to Indian batter Ravichandran Ashwin, who was running along the middle of the pitch on the area that is known as the protected area of the pitch. This incident happened twice; first, Ashwin was given a warning, but the second time it resulted in a penalty.
According to MCC’s law 41.14.1, which comes under the Unfair Play section, it is stated that “it is unfair to cause deliberate or avoidable damage to the pitch. If the striker enters the protected area while 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.”
This law states that firstly, a warning will be given, and if the incident happens twice, the batting side will be awarded a five-run penalty.
Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja was also warned on Day 1 about the same incident.