India slapped with five-run penalty for Ashwin mid-pitch running

India were penalised five runs after the umpire charged batsman Ravichandran Ashwin for running in the middle of the pitch in the third Test against England on Friday.

Ashwin was reprimanded by on-field umpire Joel Wilson on the morning of day two in Rajkot and England will start their innings with five for no loss as a result of the offence.

Ashwin attempted to argue his case with Wilson, who then put his arm around the batsman's shoulder and indicated five to signal the penalty.

According to the laws of cricket, "deliberate or avoidable damage to the pitch" is an offence.

Ravi Ashwin got a warning for running down in the middle of the pitch, which resulted in five penalty runs for India. England will start with 5/0

This was the second warning for Team India.

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"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," the laws state.

Ravindra Jadeja was warned for running on the pitch on the opening day.