Robin Uthappa accidently rubs saliva on ball, breaks COVID-19 IPL rules

Abu Dhabi : Amid coronavirus pandemic, Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020 was shifted from India to Dubai and new guidelines were issued over the conduct of the game to ensure players remain safe from the COVID-19 infection.

Amid one major change, players were banned from using saliva to shine the ball instead they could use the sweat. But Robin Uthappa became the first violator of the rule in a match between Rajasthan Royals and Kolkata Knight Riders on Wednesday evening.

In the third over of the match, Robin Uthappa was caught on camera using saliva to shine the ball. 

A team can be issued up to two warnings per innings but repeated use of saliva on the ball will result in a 5-run penalty to the batting side, according to the ICC.

Winning the toss, Rajasthan Royals asked Kolkata Knight Riders to bat first. They scores a fighting 174 runs in set 20 overs. However, the reply from RR was weak and the skipper was back in stands in the second over of their innings.

Even Sanju Samson and Jos Buttler failed to take the attack to the opposition as the batsmen looked to rush things rather than hold ends up and take the chase deep down.

Eventually, Royals were restricted to 137/9 giving KKR a 37-run victory.