India hit with a five-run penalty in the Rajkot Test

In the 102nd over of the India innings, Ashwin pushed the ball into the covers region and attempted to take a run by running down the pitch. However, he was sent back by his partner, Dhruv Jurel. The on-field umpire Joel Wilson spoke with the batter and then signalled a five-run penalty.

This means that England will start their innings at 5/0 when they come out to bat.

India had already received their first and final warning when all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja had been warned for running on the pitch on the first day of the Test.

ICC World Test Championship 2023-25 Standings

Law 41.14 deals with the situation of a batter damaging the pitch and Law 41.14.1 states:

"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."

Law 41.14.2 describes the procedure to be followed in the first such occurrence, which is a warning to the batting side.

"If either batter causes deliberate or avoidable damage to the pitch, other than as in 41.15, at the first instance the umpire seeing the contravention shall, when the ball is dead, inform the other umpire of the occurrence. The bowler's end umpire shall then warn both batters that the practice is unfair and indicate that this is a first and final warning. This warning shall apply throughout the innings. The umpire shall so inform each incoming batter. inform the captain of the fielding side and, as soon as practicable, the captain of the batting side of what has occurred."

Finally, the penalty is prescribed in Law 41.14.3,

"If there is any further instance of deliberate or avoidable damage to the pitch by any batter in that innings, the umpire seeing the contravention shall, when the ball is dead, inform the other umpire of the occurrence.

The bowler's end umpire shall disallow all runs to the batting side return any not out batter to his/her original end signal No ball or Wide to the scorers if applicable. award 5 Penalty runs to the fielding side. award any other 5-run Penalty that is applicable except for Penalty runs under Law 28.3 (Protective helmets belonging to the fielding side). Inform the captain of the fielding side and, as soon as practicable, the captain of the batting side of the reason for this action. The umpires together shall report the occurrence as soon as possible after the match to the Executive of the offending side and to any Governing Body responsible for the match, who shall take such action as is considered appropriate against the captain, any other individuals concerned, and, if appropriate, the team."

India are currently in a strong position in the Rajkot Test, having scored 445 in their first innings. The five-match series is tied at 1-1.