England all-rounder Ben Stokes was seen applying saliva on the ball during the second ODI against India at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune on Friday. On-field umpire Virender Sharma was quick to spot the error and decided to warn Stokes for mistakenly applying saliva on the ball.The ball had to be sanitized as per protocol and the umpires also informed England stand-in captain Jos Buttler that a similar offence would attract a penalty of five runs for them.
It happened in the fourth over of India’s innings. Reece Topley had just bowled a dot ball when India were 8 for no loss and the ball reached Stokes, who was standing in the slip cordon, who accidentally applied saliva on the ball.Applying saliva was banned ever since cricket resumed after a long break due to the Covid-19 pandemic.The England all-rounder had committed the same mistake on Day 1 of the pink-ball Test between India and England in Ahmedabad earlier. England got off to a good star after Topley removed India opener Shikhar Dhawan early. England had opted to bowl first after wining the toss in the 2nd ODI. England awarded an ODI debut to Liam Livingstone. Reece Topley came in for fast bowler Mark Wood. India made one enforced change after Shreyas Iyer was ruled out with a shoulder injury. Iyer fell awkwardly on his left shoulder while fielding in the first ODI and will this series and the entire IPL for Delhi Capitals. Iyer was replaced in India's starting lineup by wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant.
