After a video of Ravindra Jadeja applying “ointment” during the first Test match between India and Australia went viral, the ICC found him guilty and penalized him.

After videos of India all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja applying what was later determined by the Indian team management to be a pain-relief ointment went viral on social media towards the end of Day 1 of the first Test against Australia in Nagpur, the International Cricket Council (ICC) took action against Jadeja. After being found in breach of Article 2.20 of the ICC Code of Conduct, which covers acting in a way that is against the spirit of the game, Jadeja was fined 25% of the match costs. Jadeja’s disciplinary record has also been updated with one demerit point. This was his first offense in the last 24 months.

Jadeja was seen using cream to treat his left index finger during the 46th over of Australia’s first innings on Thursday. The left-arm spinner is seen in the video taking something off of Mohammed Siraj’s palm and placing it on his left hand’s index finger.

The on-field umpires Nitin Menon and Richard Illingworth allegedly did not give the all-rounder their approval for this. The ICC asserts that “this was done without seeking permission from the on-field umpires.”

The Indian all-rounder, who took seven wickets in the game and scored a critical 70 to help India win by an inning and 132 runs, reportedly received a call from match official Andy Pycroft at the end of the first day’s play.

When they were together, Jadeja and Captain Rohit Sharma agreed that it was a cream for pain alleviation.

The on-field umpires Menon and Illingworth, third umpire Michael Gough, and fourth umpire KN Ananthapadmanabhan—not the Australian team management—filed the official complaints.

The Indian team management’s explanation was well received by the match referee, who concluded that the cream had no impact on the ball’s condition.

The match referee “was persuaded that the cream was administered to the finger only for medical reasons” while deciding to penalize the player and administer the Level 1 penalty. Following Article 41.3 of the ICC Playing Rules – Unfair Play – The Match Ball – Changing its State, the cream was not applied to the ball as an artificial material, and as a result, it did not alter the ball’s state.

Since Jadeja recognized the infraction and agreed to the punishment proposed by match referee Andy Pycroft, there was no need for a formal hearing.

Level 1 infractions carry a maximum punishment of 50% of the player’s match cost, one or two demerit points, and an official reprimand.