'Thuk laga ke dalega,': Twitterati blasts Ben Stokes for using saliva on ball

England all-rounder Ben Stokes might have copped some criticism or two from the fans on Wednesday as after claiming an unsuccessful catch of Rohit Sharma in India's first innings, he was seen applying saliva on the ball in the final session of the first day of the third Test. As soon as it happened, the umpire Nitin Menon warned the all-rounder.

Living in the COVID-19 world has meant that the use of saliva on the ball in Test match cricket is not allowed and that the umpire will issue two warnings to the fielding side and if done repeatedly, the batting side will get five penalty runs.

It is not the first time that a cricketer has used saliva on the ball since the sport has resumed its services after the coronavirus pandemic-induced delay, especially in Test matches, by mistake. However, Stokes, apart from the warning, was at the receiving end of the fans' outrage.

While some of the reactions suggested that Stokes had taken the duty of being that rebel kid, many suggested that it was a mistake as it was almost done in front of the umpire, while some were of a view that Stokes did it intentionally.

Here are some of the reactions:

BAN Stokes #INDvsENG

— reseb pent (@ResebhPent) February 24, 2021

Ben Stokes seems to be in full rebel mode today.

— Vinayakk (@vinayakkm) February 24, 2021

Stokes using saliva to shine the ball....shararati gore...umpire stopped him and gave first warning

— vishal dhakla (@vishaldhakla) February 24, 2021

Bhogle on Stokes applying saliva: he did it in front of the umpire , has to be a mistake, no one would be foolish enough.
Steve Smith: pic.twitter.com/ehaf9uFLok

— Dweplea (@dweplea) February 24, 2021

& it's a brainfade moment for Stokes..
He forgot that in covid times, u can't use Saliva to shine the ball@vikrantgupta73 @rawatrahul9

— AMAN MATHUR (@AMANX201) February 24, 2021

Poor Ben Stokes is gonna get pelters on Twitter over the catch and the saliva on the ball. Easy mistake to make when it’s a lifelong habit.

— Pritty Bwoi (@Pritesh_Vegad) February 24, 2021

thuk lagake dalega - ben stokes #INDvsENG #IndVEng

— reseb pent (@ResebhPent) February 24, 2021

Ah elite honesty from Ben Stokes. Using saliva on the ball right in front of the umpire rather than slipping into a corner and doing it when the lights went off. Of course it’s just a habit that cricketers will find a tad difficult to get rid of easily #INDvENG

— Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07) February 24, 2021

We are in Corona time Ben Stokes..use common sense idiot!!

— Politically Apolitical! (@notpolitical12) February 24, 2021

Ben Stokes accidentally used saliva on the pink-ball.
The ball is also being sanitised.
Nice work by the umpire to spot it.#INDvENG

— Akshat (@Akshat_Cricket) February 24, 2021