Sri Lankan Captain Dinesh Chandimal has been found guilty of the ball-tampering offense because of using an artificial substance to shine the ball on the third day of just concluded Test at St. Lucia. Dinesh had earlier pleaded not guilty of breaking the crucial International Cricket Council rule and after being found offender the law, has been suspended by the ICC for a Test. 

Video evidence was used in the presence of the Sri Lanka team management as well as the match officials, Chandimal admitted putting something in his mouth but wasn’t able to recall what it was.

ICC match referee Javagal Srinath has handed two suspension points and a fine of 100% of Chandimal's match fee. 

Two suspension points in such cases equate suspension under the ICC Law from one Test or two ODIs or two T20Is, whichever comes first. Here, specifically, it means Sri Lanka will be missing their Captain and their in-form batsman for the all-important Barbados Test. 

Srinath has officially reported to the ICC about the matter as, “After reviewing the footage of the incident, it is clear that Dinesh applied an artificial substance to the ball, namely saliva containing the residue of something he had in his mouth, an action which is prohibited under the ICC Code of Conduct"

“The footage shows that upon receiving the ball, Dinesh took something from his pocket and put it into his mouth. After sucking or chewing whatever he put in his mouth for a few seconds, Dinesh then proceeded to spit on his finger and polish the ball with his saliva which would have contained the residue of the artificial substance that he had in his mouth, on two separate occasions.”

“During the hearing, Dinesh admitted to putting something in his mouth but couldn’t remember what it was, which I found unconvincing as a defense and the fact remains it was an artificial substance"

“In the pre-series briefing held on the back of the ICC Cricket Committee recommendations, both the sides were explicitly told that the match officials would be extra vigilant towards all aspects of fair play, including changing the condition of the ball and as such it is disappointing that this has happened.”

(Inputs from Cricketnext)