3rd Test: Why England started their first innings at 5/0 against India

NEW DELHI: In the third Test match between India and England in Rajkot on Friday, India's batters committed a second offense by running in the middle of the pitch, which resulted in a five-run penalty.Due to the punishment, England began their first innings at 5/0 before a single ball was bowled.All-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin was fined for running across the middle of the pitch. Joel Wilson, the on-field umpire, reprimanded Ashwin.During the second day of play, Wilson was seen speaking with Ashwin following the third ball of the 102nd over of the India innings for running on the middle of the pitch. The same offence was previously committed by Ravindra Jadeja.Ashwin gently worked the ball off Rehan Ahmed and immediately set off for a single without perhaps realising where he was running, but was eventually sent back by debutant Dhruv Jurel.Ashwin ran on the middle of the pitch for a second offence from the Indian team as highlighted by the umpire, with Jadeja being warned on the first day of the Test at the Niranjan Shah Stadium.According to MCC's law 41.14.1, which comes under Unfair Play section, "It is unfair to cause deliberate or avoidable damage to the pitch. If the striker enters the protected area in playing or playing at the ball, he/she must move from it immediately thereafter."A batter will be deemed to be causing avoidable damage if either umpire considers that his/her presence on the pitch is without reasonable cause."The law further states that a team will receive "a first and final warning", which will apply throughout the innings.If the offence is repeated by any team member during the course of the innings, the batting side will be awarded a five-run penalty.(With PTI inputs)