India vs New Zealand: Virat Kohli walkie-talkie use no rule violation, says ICC

Virat Kohli, India skipper, found himself in the centre of controversy after he was caught on camera using a walkie-talkie during Wednesday’s first T20 win over New Zealand at the Ferozeshah Kotla ground. (India vs New Zealand Full Coverage)

There were suggestions Virat Kohli had violated the International Cricket Council (ICC) rules by using a communication device on the field during the match. The rule is part of various measures in place because of concerns over match-fixing.

Mobile phones are banned in the dressing room. However, walkie-talkie communication is allowed between the dugout and dressing room area by player support personnel.

(Read | Ashish Nehra did not want to continue playing at expense of Bhuvneshwar Kumar)

PERMISSION NEEDED

According to Section 4.3.1 of the ICC’S Minimum Standards for Players and Match Officials’ Areas at International Matches, “the use of two-way hand-held device that uses dedicated frequencies over short distances (ie. walkie-talkie) by Player Support Personnel for the purpose of communication between the dugout and dressing room area for medical and/or tactical reasons only (is allowed), provided that such communication devices are suitably encrypted to avoid detection by any third party in the nearby vicinity.”

(Read | Kane Williamson rues dropped chances after New Zealand’s loss to India)

ICC sources said on Thursday Virat Kohli was given permission by the ICC anti-corruption manager at the Ferozeshah Kotla to use the walkie-talkie to communicate with the support staff in the dressing room.

India won the match, which was veteran fast bowler Ashish Nehra’s final game, by 53 runs. The second T20 will be played at Rajkot on November 4.