Ben Stokes charged by ICC after altercation

England all-rounder Ben Stokes has been charged by the governing body for using foul and offensive language during a heated argument with Indian skipper Virat Kohli during the 1st day of the 3rd Test in Mohali.

While Stokes was officially rebuked by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for his misconduct on the field, Kohli escaped the eyes of the governing body despite being the one to instigate the matter after Stokes’ dismissal in the afternoon session. Kohli gave him a send-off which did not go too well with Stokes and he started using foul language on the field. Later the umpires came and calmed down Kohli. The governing body cited him for “using language or a gesture that is obscene, offensive or insulting during an International Match”

It was during the last ball of the 45th over when Ben Stokes tried to hit a quicker delivery from Ravindra Jadeja over the fence but missed it completely and was eventually stumped by comeback man Parthiv Patel.

The disciplinary action ended a tough opening day for the visitors who finished Day 1 on 266/8, thanks largely to Jonny Bairstow’s stupendous knock of 89. Jadeja, Jayant Yadav and Umesh Yadav were the pick of the bowlers who chipped in with two wickets each.

After Stokes’ response was reported by the on field umpires Marais Erasmus and Chris Gaffeney, he was called in front of the match referee Ranjan Madugalle. Though he was charged with Level 1 offence, he escaped fine after accepting the allegations.

Bairstow who was the top scorer of England said after the day’s play, “I’ve actually not heard anything because there are a lot of squealing people in the crowds. I couldn’t [tell you] the exact words that were said.

“It’s something that’s probably going more out of the game, verbals and things like that. If you go back 10 years it was a bigger part of the game. But I think you’ve also got to respect you’ve got guys out there who are very passionate, representing their country in the heat of battle.

“At some point, there are going to be words said. That’s the nature of professional sport. But I don’t know what was said. I don’t really get too involved with all that kind of stuff.”