Picture Credit: Twitter
Ahead of the 5th T20I between India and South Africa, a groundsman at M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru seen trying to take a selfie with Ruturaj Gaikwad. The opening batter was sitting in the dugout due to the rain delay, which allowed the ground staff to have a chance for clicking a photo.
However, the 25-year-old tried to push away the staff and kind of refused to pose for a selfie, while the former was still persistent enough with his pursuit. On Twitter, there were many comments that none of the staff is allowed to use the mobile phones in the player’s area, as it’s strictly not permitted by the International Cricket Council (ICC).
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In the IPL and international matches, the players usually hand over their phones to their respective executives before entry to the stadium premises and are not allowed to use cell phones in the dugout or in the dressing room.
In 2018, ICC confirmed that under Player and Match Officials Area (PMOA) Regulations, smart watches are not to be worn on the field. The same follows for mobile phones as well, which can receive communications.
"Communications devices are prohibited within the PMOA and no player is allowed to be in possession of or use a communications device which is connected to the internet whilst there," the ICC said in a release.
"Smart watches in any way connected to a phone or WI-FI or in any way capable of receiving communications are not allowed and as such we will be reminding players that such devices must be surrendered along with their mobile devices on arrival at the ground on match days."
This move had come after the Pakistan cricket team players were asked to stop wearing smartwatches during the Test fixture at Lord's to avoid any allegations of match-fixing.