Virat Kohli advices ICC to keep the demerit points system consistent

Ravindra Jadeja, India's leading spinner and world no.1 all-rounder and Test bowler had to miss out on the third Test against Sri Lanka at Pallekelle after he accumulated six demerit points for throwing a ball dangerously at Dimuth Karunaratne in the second Test in Colombo which was a clear breach of article 2.2.8 of the player's code of conduct. Jadeja was previously found guilty of running dangerously on the Kanpur pitch in a Test against New Zealand in September last year. 

Though Jadeja's absence in the third Test won't harm India as they have already clinched the series 2-0, the new system introduced by the International Cricket Council (ICC) is aimed at punishing offenders who keep repeating their mistakes. But with India having an aggressive bunch of players, most of all their skipper Virat Kohli, they could bear the brunt of the system the most. Moreover, Kohli himself could face a suspension in the middle of a series if he does not keep his aggression in check which could hurt India badly.

And the 28-year-old stressed on the need for the system to be kept consistent in order to keep it effective in the long run while speaking to the media on Friday in Pallekele.

"Firstly, we need to be very clear on what are the things that fall into it and what are the things that a player needs to keep in mind while being on the field. A lot of things happen on the field in the heat of the moment and you don't know what's going to cost you one or two or three points. So, I think the intent counts nowadays and that's something that players need to keep in mind, It might be a very small thing, but if the intent is to do something bad, obviously that is something that counts against the player. Players have to be more aware going ahead," Kohli told TOI.