Rajasthan Royals player Robin Uthappa appears to have had a moment of mental fade during Steve Smith’s team’s clash against Kolkata Knight Riders in Dubai on Wednesday.
Video of Uthappa allegedly applying saliva to the ball after he released KKR’s Sunil Narine on the fifth ball of the third over went viral on social media.
Cricketers often apply saliva to the ball to make it glow, something that has been banned by the ICC since the COVID-19 pandemic began.
Fans were shocked when photos and videos of Uthappa impulsively using her saliva on the ball hit the internet. In fact, many of them urged higher authorities to take action against the “careless” cricketer.
Read also: IPL 2020: Robin Uthappa seen spitting the ball after dropping the catch
Robin Uthappa only used saliva on the ball after dropping that catch !!!!! Are you sure there has to be some kind of punishment ?!
– Goku. (@KingKosser) September 30, 2020
I don’t know if the officials are taking notice. Robin Uthappa applied SALIVA to the ball just after dropping the catch. @IamNicck
– Faisal (@ FaisalS70965365) September 30, 2020
“Players may not use saliva to make the ball shine. If a player applies saliva to the ball, the referees will handle the situation with some leniency during an initial adjustment period for the players, but subsequent instances will result in team receiving a warning. “the ICC had previously said in a notification.
“A team may receive up to two warnings per inning, but repeated use of saliva on the ball will result in a 5-run penalty to the hitting side. Whenever saliva is applied to the ball, the umpires will be instructed to clean the ball. before play was resumed, “the statement said.
But why is saliva forbidden in cricket?
The WHO has confirmed that the coronavirus is transmitted through droplets, either directly or indirectly. In order for it to spread directly, it must come in contact with the droplets secreted by an infected person either through their mouth or nose.
Read also: Impulsive or vindictive? Why Indians Can’t Stop Spitting Even In The Time Of Coronavirus
This usually happens when a person sneezes or coughs without covering their mouth. Spitting also produces droplets in the air, especially since in this case it is not about covering the mouth.
Regarding indirect transmission, the droplets tend to remain suspended in the air and on various surfaces for a long period of time. If you come in contact with this, you too could get infected. This is also known as Covid-19 aerosol transmission.
.