ICC gives clean chit to Virat Kohli in walkie talkie episode

New Delhi: The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Thursday gave a clean-chit to Indian skipper Virat Kohli in the case of using a walkie-talkie during the first India vs New Zealand Twenty20 International at the Feroz Shah Kotla ground here on Wednesday.

It is to be mentioned that Kohli was seen talking on a walkie talkie during the T20I series opener while sitting in the dug-out.

ICC has clarified that Kohli had taken prior permission to use the electronic equipment during the match, and thus is not entitled to face any action.

"While walkie talkie is used by support staff to communicate between dug out and the dressing room, Kohli had sought permission from Venue ACU manager before using it," said an ICC official on condition of anonymity.

There had been reports that suggested that Kohli had violated ICC norms by using a communication device during the match. But, the Indian run-machine had taken prior permission from the ICC's Anti-Corruption Security Unit to use a walkie talkie.

As per the ICC norms, the use of mobile phone is banned in the dressing room, but the players and support staff are allowed to use walkie talkies.

As per the Article 4 of ICC's rules on use of communication devices in the Player and Match Official Area (PMOA) says:

4.1.1 No person shall be allowed to use and/or carry any Mobile Device for any reason whatsoever, whether to access the Internet or otherwise, in the PMOA

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4.1.2 No person shall be allowed to use and/or carry, any laptop computer (or any other similar communication device) for any reason whatsoever, whether to access the Internet or otherwise, in the PMOA

4.1.3 no person shall be allowed to use any static / landline (or similar) telephone capable of making calls from inside or receiving calls from outside the PMOA As it stands the Indian captain was not in breach of any of the above rules.

It is to be recalled that in first T20I against New Zealand, which happened to be the farewell match of Ashish Nehra, India registered a comprehensive 53-run victory to go 1-0 up in the three match series. Now the two teams will meet again Saurashtra Cricket Assiciation Stadium in Rajkot on November 4 for the second 20-20 encounter.