ICC sanction Shanaka for ball tampering

Sri Lanka fast bowler Dasun Shanaka has been fined 75 per cent of his match fee for ball tampering by the International Cricket Council in the second Test against India in Nagpur.

Shanaka was charged by match officials for "changing the condition of the ball" after he was seen picking the area near the seam of the ball on the broadcast.

The incident that prompted the charged occurred in the 50th over of India's innings after Shanaka was picked up by television cameras "picking up an area on the ball next to the seam several times" according to the ICC.

The charge was laid by on-field umpires Joel Wilson and Richard Kettleborough and Shanaka admitted to the offence after the end of a gruelling day for Sri Lanka.

The 26-year-old accepted the sanction proposed by match referee and former Australia batsman David Boon, meaning there was no need for a formal hearing.

"These are early days in Dasun's career and I am sure this sanction will ensure he is more careful when maintaining the condition of the ball in the future," Boon said.

Shanaka, playing in his third Test, went wicketless on a day two that saw India post 2-312 in response to Sri Lanka's first-innings 205.

The right-armer, who made his Test debut against England at Leeds last year, was also handed three demerit points for his offence.

If Shanaka reaches four or more demerit points within a 24-month period, they will be converted into suspension points and he will be banned.

The visitors are fighting hard against top-ranked India in the three-match series after the first Test ended in a draw.

India were 2-312 at stumps with Cheteshwar Pujara, on 121, and skipper Virat Kohli, on 54, batting to push Sri Lanka out of the game.

Murali Vijay, who made an impressive return to the team after a long injury lay-off, registered his 10th Test ton before falling to Rangana Herath in the final session of play.

Sri Lanka's batting coach Thilan Samaraweera praised the India top-order for their solid showing on a wicket that the visitors tripped on after winning the toss and batting.

"I think we are behind the game at the moment. I thought we bowled in very good areas but they batted well on a good pitch," Samaraweera said.

"Disappointing that we won the toss, classic pitch, no seam movement, no spin and we didn't bat well to be honest with you."