ICC World Cup 2019 | Virat Kohli in danger of suspension after ‘animated’ argument with umpires

India confirmed their place in the semi-finals of this year’s ICC World Cup 2019 as they beat Bangladesh by 28 runs in yesterday’s match at Edgbaston. However, India captain Virat Kohli could be staring at a suspension if he gets into further arguments with umpires after another animated chat with the officials during yesterday’s win in Birmingham.

The 30-year-old Indian skipper has already been fined and handed a demerit point for protesting a DRS decision during the win against Afghanistan a week ago. Kohli got into a confrontation with the umpires during the game against Bangladesh after India lost their review against Soumya Sarkar in the opening stages of the second innings.

In the second ball of the 11th over, Mohammed Shami struck Soumya on the pads and there was a huge appeal for an LBW but on-field umpire Marais Erasmus did not seem convinced. Kohli reviewed the decision and after a long hard look, third umpire Aleem Dar decided there was an inside edge and did not go past 'Ultraedge' to check ball-tracking. The Delhi-born batsman immediately rushed towards the umpires with displeasure on his face and confronted them with his objection which led to an argument. 

The RCB skipper now has two demerit points, one for the Afghanistan game and one that was accrued during the Test match against South Africa, in January 2018. According to the revised ICC rules, if a player reaches four demerit points in a 24-month period, they are converted to suspension points. Two of such points will result in a ban from one Test or two ODIs/T20Is, whichever comes first.