Virat Kohli could face two World Cup match bans for arguing with umpire

If found guilty of excessive appealing, this would be Kohli’s second offence

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Though India has made it into the semi-finals after a victory against Bangladesh, the match may end up costing the boys in blue their captain.

In the 11th over, Mohammad Shami hit Soumya Sarkar on the pads, prompting Shami to appeal for a leg-before-wicket (LBW). On-field umpire, Marais Erasmus, turned the appeal down, which led Kohli to ask for a review on the big screen. The third umpire, Aleem Dar, decided that the ball appeared to strike bat and pad at the same time, and maintained Erasmus’s decision. The Third Umpire did not proceed to the ball tracking screen.

With this costing India a review, Kohli got into an argument with Erasmus. M.S. Dhoni was not present at the time. Kohli may have been a tad too animated following the review loss for India.

Indians fans were also outraged, feeling like the Decision Review System (DRS) had feel unfavourable to India on multiple occassions.

The argument could cost Kohli dearly. The skipper had already been fined for arguing with an umpire during the match against Afghanistan. Then, he was fined 25 per cent of his match fee and received one demerit point for being in breach of section 2.1 of the ICC Code of Conduct, which has to do with “Excessive appealing during an International Match”. Aleem Dar was the on-field umpire at that match.

Kohli already had a demerit point from a 2018 test match played against South Africa in Pretoria, where he was also found in violation of section 2.1.1, for ‘conduct contrary to the spirit of the game.’ With two demerit points in hand, Kohli is two points short of a two-ODI-match ban.

If Kohli is found in violation of 2.1 again, he may be given another demerit point — or two. Excessive appealing is a Level 1 offence, which can carry a maximum of two demerit points. However, repetition of a level 1 offence within a period of 12 months makes for a level 2 offence, where the penalties include being fined 50-100 per cent of match fee and/or receiving 3-4 demerit points. Demerit points remain for a period of 24 months.

The official ICC website says:

“When a player reaches four or more demerit points within a 24-month period, they are converted into suspension points and a player is banned...Two suspension points equate to a ban from one Test or two ODIs or two T20Is, whatever comes first for the player.”

Whether Kohli’s conduct will count as ‘excessive appealing’ will depend on the umpires. The ICC Code of Conduct mentions four situations that can come under the tag of an excessive appeal:

“1: Repeated appealing of the same decision.

2: Repeated appealing of different decisions when the bowler/fielder knows the

batter is not out with the intention of placing the Umpire under pressure.

3: Charging or advancing towards the Umpire in an aggressive manner when appealing.

4: Celebrating a dismissal without appealing to the Umpire when a decision is required.”

The rules add that these are not intended to “prevent loud or enthusiastic appealing”.

Kohli is the highest ranked test and ODI batsman in the world. India will next play Sri Lanka at Leeds on July 6.