The obscure rule-break which means England will start their first innings with five extra runs after India’s extremely rare issue in the third Test

England will start their first innings with five extra runs on the board after India committed an extremely rare rule breach on the second day of the third Test in Rajkot.

Resuming the day’s play on 326 for five, India lost two early wickets but bounced back as Dhruv Jurel and Ravichandran Ashwin built a promising partnership.

However, their eighth-wicket stand included a moment of controversy when Ashwin received a stern telling-off from the umpires.

Ashwin got on the wrong side of the officials after setting off for a single by running straight down the middle of the pitch. 

India’s Ravindra Jadeja was also warned about the same thing during the final session on the opening day, and the umpires were forced to take action after this was not heeded.

Ravichandran Ashwin was deemed to have run down the middle of the pitch

Wilson spoke to Ashwin as he explained his decision to award the penalty runs

Indian centurion Ravindra Jadeja was also warned about running on the pitch on Thursday

England vice-captain Ollie Pope appeared to point out India’s rule breach on Thursday evening

After having a word with Ashwin, umpire Joel Wilson signalled that England had been awarded five penalty runs, which will be added on when they begin their first innings.

England vice-captain Ollie Pope appeared to have a hand in ensuring the penalty was awarded as he was seen pointing out India’s indiscretions to the umpires on Thursday evening.

India were deemed to have breached Law 41.14 in the cricket rulebook which states that ‘a batter will be deemed to be causing avoidable damage if either umpire considers that his/her presence on the pitch is without reasonable cause’.

Ashwin went on to make a useful 37 before he was caught at mid-on by Jimmy Anderson off the bowling of Rehan Ahmed to end his 77-run partnership with Jurel.

Debutant wicketkeeper Jurel fell shortly afterwards for 46 after edging Ahmed behind to Ben Foakes, and India were eventually bowled out for 445 when Jasprit Bumrah was trapped in front by Mark Wood after making a brisk 26.