Delhi Capitals' Lizelle Lee punished for heated moment with umpire over stumping decision that took 5 minutes

Delhi Capitals opener Lizelle Lee has been fined 10 per cent of her match fee and handed one demerit point for breaching the Women's Premier League (WPL) Code of Conduct during the clash against Mumbai Indians (MI) on January 20.

Lee was involved in a heated altercation with on-field umpire Vrinda Rathi as she was given stumped out after the third umpire took more than five minutes, looking at all the angles.

The incident occurred in the 11th over of Delhi Capitals' run chase. Amanjot Kaur was hit for a six and followed it up with a delivery down the leg side. Lee lost her balance as she missed the ball Her back foot was one the line but she was quick to get her bat down the line. After the third umpire looked at every angle available, it was determined that the South African wicketkeeper-batter's bat was in the air when Rahila Firdous removed the bails.

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As the big screen showed that Lee has been given out, she had an animated conversation with the umpire Rathi. She was livid with the decision and did not hide her emotions while leaving the field. She missed her half-century, dismissed for a 28-ball 46.

"She admitted to a Level 1 offence under Article 2.2 of the Code of Conduct, which relates to the abuse of cricket equipment during the match,” the media advisory said.

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The match referee Varsha Nagre's decision is final and binding in Level 1 breaches.

Umpire of the future, hard-hitter in present

It is to be noted that 33-year-old Lee wishes to be an umpire once she’s retired from all forms of cricket.

Lee was roped in for her base price of Rs 30 lakh in the WPL auction. She has turned out to be a steal deal for DC. Currently, she is the third-highest run-scorer in WPL 2026. From five innings, she has managed to score 213 runs at an average of 42.60 and strike rate of 154.35. She has filled in the vacant opening spot left after former skipper Meg Lanning's departure.

DC beat MI

Lee's 28-ball 46 came in a winning cause. In the tricky run chase of 155, she shared a 63-run opening partnership with Shafali Verma. Later, skipper Jemimah Rodrigues' unbeaten 37-ball 51 helped DC get over the line with seven wickets in hand and an over to spare.