India pacer Gurnoor Brar has landed in hot water with the International Cricket Council (ICC) ahead of the second ODI against England after being found guilty of breaching the ICC Code of Conduct during the series opener in Birmingham. The young fast bowler has been officially reprimanded and handed a demerit point despite playing a key role in India's convincing victory.
The disciplinary action comes just days before India look to seal the three-match ODI series against England after taking a 1-0 lead.
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Gurnoor Brar handed one demerit point by ICC
According to an official ICC statement:
Brar was found to have breached Article 2.9 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to “throwing a ball at or near a player in an inappropriate and or dangerous manner during an international match.”
The incident occurred during the eighth over of England's innings, when Gurnoor Brar fielded the ball before throwing it towards the batter in what the ICC deemed an inappropriate and dangerous manner.
The pacer admitted the offence and accepted the sanction proposed by Richie Richardson of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees, eliminating the need for a formal hearing.
As a result, Brar received an official reprimand along with one demerit point, marking his first offence in a 24-month period. The charges were levelled by on-field umpires Kumar Dharmasena and Mike Burns, third umpire Sam Nogajski, and fourth official Russell Warren.
Level 1 offences under the ICC Code of Conduct carry penalties ranging from an official reprimand to a fine of up to 50 percent of a player's match fee, along with one or two demerit points.
Young pacer impressed in India's opening ODI win
Despite the disciplinary action, Brar produced an encouraging performance in what was only the fourth ODI of his international career after recently making his debut against Afghanistan.
The left-arm seamer finished with figures of 2/61 from nine overs, providing India with an early breakthrough against England. Gurnoor Brar struck twice in the same over to remove both opening batters, dismissing Ben Duckett and Jacob Bethell, helping India gain the upper hand during the powerplay.
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His spell played an important role in India's eventual six-wicket victory, which handed the visitors a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. With the disciplinary issue now behind him, Brar will be hoping to continue his impressive start to international cricket when India take on England in the second ODI as the visitors look to wrap up the series.