ICC finds no wrongdoing in Virat Kohli’s use of walkie-talkie

NEW DELHI (Agencies): The anti corruption unit of the ICC is satisfied with Indian captain Virat Kohli’s conduct during the first T20I against New Zealand.

The Indian skipper was seen using a walkie-talkie to communicate with support staff.

A source privy to matter has confirmed to Geo.tv that Kohli had sought prior permission from the ICC’s anti-corruption officer at the venue to use the two-way communication device.

“The use of two-way walkie-talkies is allowed for communication between the dugout and the dressing room area by player support personnel,” explained the source.

“In this case, Virat Kohli had received advance permission to use the device from the ICC anti-corruption manager at the venue, Mr Bir Singh, for the purposes of communicating with player support personnel in the dressing room,” the source added.

The source also confirmed that ICC ACU is satisfied that the two-way walkie-talkie system was being used in accordance with the PMOA Minimum Standards.

Earlier, the Indian media suggested that Kohli had violated ICC regulations by using a communication device during a match. Though the use of mobile phones is banned in the dressing room, the support staff have access to walkie-talkies under ICC rules.

The rule 4.3.1 of conduct at players and match Official area allows the use of two way handheld devices that uses the dedicated frequency over short distance by players support personnel for the purpose of communication between the dugout and the dressing room for the medical and tactical reasons only, provided that such communication devices are suitably encrypted to avoid detection by any third party.