Indian captain Virat Kohli has allegedly breached the International Cricket Council’s Code of Conduct as he was seen speaking on the walkie-talkie during the first T20I between India and New Zealand.
However, after the match, the controversy erupted as Kohli was seen talking on a walkie-talkie. It was a serious offense in ICC’s code, which bans any communication device in the dressing room or anywhere near the players.
#BREAKING: Virat Kohli in trouble after allegedly spotted using a walkie-talkie during a T-20 match which violates the ICC code pic.twitter.com/UL62UR9N4A
— TIMES NOW (@TimesNow) November 2, 2017
When contacted by Cricketnext, an active BCCI umpire, said that the use of walkie-talkie devices with prior permission of match officials is allowed during a game. He said, “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.”
A BCCI official also told Cricketnext that Virat had already taken permission from the ICC Anti-Corruption Unit for using the device. When approached, the ICC also gave the Indian captain a clean chit on the issue.
#BREAKING: ICC gives clean chit to Virat Kohli, Virat had sought prior permission from ICC to use walkie-talkie #WalkieTalkieVirat
— TIMES NOW (@TimesNow) November 2, 2017
The article 4 of ICC’s rules on the use of any 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
As per the rule, the Indian skipper was not in breach of any of the above rules.
