Ind vs Eng 2nd ODI | Umpires warn Stokes for using saliva on the ball for the second time in this tour

Ben Stokes received another official warning from the on-field officials after he mistakenly applied saliva on the match ball. 

Image By: The Sports Rush

English all-rounder Ben Stokes received another official warning from the on-field umpires after he unintentionally applied saliva on the match ball during the Indian innings in the second ODI.

In the fourth over, Stokes was found applying saliva on the ball, and thus the on-field umpires Virender Sharma and Nitin Menon warned captain Jos Buttler. Incidentally, he also took a catch in the slips in the same over to dismiss Shikhar Dhawan facing Reece Topley.

The ICC(International Cricket Council) has restricted the use of saliva for shining the balls after matches resumed post COVID-19 pandemic.

The ball was sanitized before play resumed again, as per the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP).

This is the 2nd instance when Ben Stokes has been warned on this tour for applying saliva on the match ball. The first time it happened during the Pink Ball Test in Ahmedabad, last month. 

ICC has a keen eye on the players such that they don't break any Covid-19 guidelines.

Batting first, India has posted 336 runs losing 6 wickets in 50 overs.