By Adam Ellis
South Africa fast bowler Kagiso Rabada has been fined 15 per cent of his match fee for his sarcastic send-off of India opening batsman Shikhar Dhawan in the fifth ODI.
The 22-year-old was attacked from the off by Dhawan and Rohit Sharma, conceding 26 off his first three overs, but struck in his fourth over to lead to a match flashpoint clear to the eye of the match referee, Andy Pycroft.
Dhawan pulled a short ball straight to Andile Phehlukwayo at deep backward square leg to walk for 34, but Rabada gave him some directions for the exit by waving him off and pointing to the pavilion.
The South African also mouthed words which the ICC release said was ” a comment which could have resulted in a reaction from the batsman”.
In addition to the fine, Rabada’s loss of discipline incurred one demerit point to take his overall tally for the current two-year period to five. Should he be punished with three more by next February he will be banned for two Tests or one Test and two white-ball internationals, depending on South Africa’s schedule.
Dhawan’s exit did not hamper his opening partner Sharma who reached his sixth century since last June by scoring four maximums on his way to 115.
Chasing 275 to win, South Africa were undone by the spin of Kuldeep Yadav who claimed figures of four for 57 in bowling the hosts all out for 201.
The defeat has no effect on the series outcome as India lead 4-1 with one more ODI to be played at Centurion on Friday.
