Sharma fined for misconduct

Colombo - India's pace spearhead Ishant Sharma was on Sunday fined 65 percent of his match fee for on-field misconduct on two occasions during the ongoing second Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo.

Sharma was charged with breaching provisions of the players' code of conduct which relates to "using language, actions or gestures which could provoke an aggressive reaction from a batsman upon his dismissal," the International Cricket Council (ICC) said in a statement.

The lanky seamer was fined 15 per cent for provoking Lahiru Thirimanne after dismissing him during the third day's play on Saturday, and another 50 percent for repeating the act against Dinesh Chandimal three overs later.

Match referee Andy Pycroft said Sharma's aggressive behaviour against Chandimal "warranted a higher sanction than the first offence," the ICC said.

Sharma admitted the offences to Pycroft on Sunday, the governing body added.

On Saturday, Thirimanne had been fined 30 percent of his fees for showing dissent at the umpire's decision after being given out.

The exact amount of fines was not disclosed since match fees of the players are not made public.

Sri Lanka lead the three-match series 1-0 after winning the first Test in Galle by 63 runs.