KL Rahul fined for showing dissent at umpire's decision
Dubai(PTI): India opener KL Rahul was on Sunday fined 15 per cent of his match fee for showing dissent at the umpire's decision when he was adjudged caught behind following a DRS review on the third day of the fourth Test against England in London.
The incident occurred in the 34th over of India's second innings on Saturday. Rahul scored a patient 46 off 101 balls before being caught off James Anderson.
It was a breach of Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct.
"Rahul was found to have breached Article 2.8 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to showing dissent at an Umpire's decision during an International Match," an ICC release said.
In addition to this, one demerit point has been added to the disciplinary record of Rahul, for whom it was the first offence in a 24-month period.
Rahul admitted the offence and accepted the sanction proposed by Chris Broad of the ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees. There was no need for a formal hearing.
On-field umpires Richard Illingworth and Alex Wharf, third umpire Michael Gough and fourth official Mike Burns levelled the charges.
Level 1 breaches carry a minimum penalty of an official reprimand, a maximum penalty of 50 per cent of a player's match fee, and one or two demerit points.
When a player reaches four or more demerit points within a 24-month period, they are converted into suspension points and a player is banned.
Two suspension points equate to a ban from one Test or two ODIs or two T20Is, whatever comes first for the player.
Demerit points remain on a player or player support personnel's disciplinary record for a period of 24 months from their imposition following which they are expunged.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Power tussle: Shivakumar loyalists make fresh pitch for leadership change
Bengaluru (PTI): The ongoing power tussle in the ruling Congress in Karnataka intensified with supporters of Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar gathering at a hotel to discuss strategies to see their leader's elevation to the top post in the state.
Magadi MLA H C Balakrishna organised the gathering where discussions were held "to end the confusion regarding power sharing".
"Nearly 40 like-minded MLAs" gathered in the private hotel on Thursday night where it was decided to lobby for Shivakumar's elevation as the Chief Minister, Congress sources said.
ALSO READ: Governor assents to Karnataka SC Sub-Classification Bill; Recruitment process to begin soon
Speaking to reporters, Balakrishna, a Shivakumar loyalist, said his birthday falls on Saturday. "Since I will not be here (Bengaluru) from Friday morning as I am going out, I asked all like-minded people to have a get-together on Thursday. We invited everyone and organised this gathering."
When asked about what they discussed, the Magadi MLA said, "The discussion here was that in the present situation, if our party continues like this, it will be difficult for us in the future. The high command must give a final shape to this issue (leadership row). We have decided that we should urge them (high command) to do so."
To the question whether they would visit Delhi, Balakrishna said the matter is not about going to the national capital.
The high command is not "sleeping there in Delhi". It knows what is happening in Karnataka, he added.
According to him, when the Congress MLAs go to their constituencies, they often face questions and discussions on leadership change.
"In our constituencies, this is the only discussion and it irritates us. We must request the high command to put an end to this. Let us see how to speak about it further," Balakrishna said.
He said summoning leaders individually would not help.
"We are clear. The high command should intervene and draw a final curtain on this issue," Balakrishna said.
He added that when Congress MLAs gather, conversations naturally happen.
"During such discussions, many MLAs expressed that unless this is resolved, it will be difficult for us and our future will be uncertain," the MLA said, hinting that the leadership issue would damage the party's prospects in the 2028 assembly election.
When asked about the calls to change the Congress Karnataka unit president, which Shivakumar has been holding for the past 10 years, he said let the high command change if it wishes.
"We only want a final decision. Whether they change the president or someone else, that is not the main question. Our demand is that a final shape be given to the Congress party here," the MLA emphasised.
To a question about whether he was suggesting changing the Chief Minister in the state, Balakrishna said, "Didn't the high command say a decision will be made? Whether they change the president or the CM is the high command's decision. But a decision must be made. It's not just our opinion. What we want is that the confusion must end."
The meeting took place about a week before the budget session of the Karnataka legislature that will start from March 6.
Some other MLAs said they want Shivakumar to replace Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
The power tussle has flared up in the state since November, 2025, when the Congress government completed the halfway mark of two-and-half years.
There have been reports when the Congress came to power that there was a power sharing agreement between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar.
According to the agreement, Siddaramaiah will be the CM for the first two-and-half years, and later Shivakumar would take charge. There was no definitive confirmation though.
Shivakumar has been hinting that a power sharing agreement did exist and very few people know it.
On the other hand, Siddaramaiah has been asserting that he would remain the CM for the full five year term.
_vb_36.jpeg)