CHENNIA: A young cricketer from Tamil Nadu has been fined 100,000 Indian rupees by the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) Anti-Corruption and Security Unit for using a mobile phone in the dugout during a match.
According to Indian media, the 26-year-old cricketer was using his phone to send messages to his girlfriend during a Tamil Nadu Premier League match.
While no corruption charges were leveled against the player, using a mobile phone in the players’ and match officials’ area is a violation of the rules.
An official from the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association withheld the player’s name due to an ongoing investigation, but confirmed that the left-handed batsman scored two half-centuries for Tamil Nadu in the Ranji Trophy last year.
Reports indicate that the association initially considered imposing a two-year ban on the player, but opted for a 100,000 rupee fine instead of harsher action since the offense was not severe.
Under the regulations, players and most support staff are required to switch off and submit their mobile phones during matches, with only designated analysts permitted to use computers in specific areas for match-related information.
