India women’s cricket team’s captain Harmanpreet Kaur has been punished by International Cricket Council (ICC) for showing dissent against umpires for the lbw decision after the dismissal and in the post-match presentation. Harmanpreet has received a two-match suspension (two limited overs games or one Test match) for breaching two separate ICC Code of Conduct.
Harmanpreet was not happy with the umpire’s decisions in the third and final ODI of the series against Bangladesh. She was also criticised for her behaviour in the trophy ceremony which led to Bangladesh skipper Nigar Sultana walking off in anger.
Kaur received three demerit points on her disciplinary record in addition to a fine of 50 per cent of her match fee for the Level 2 offence. The 34-year-old first smashed the stumps with her bat and then showed the bat to umpire suggesting that she was not out.
ICC in its press release said, “She was found guilty of breaching article 2.8 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, relating to “showing dissent at an umpire’s decision.”
Later, in the post-match presentation, she said, “Kaur some pathetic umpiring was done we are really disappointed about some decisions given by the umpires.”
The Indian skipper has faced a fine of 25 per cent match fee for her post-match comments as it is a Level 1 offence which relates to "public criticism in relation to an incident occurring in an international match".
“The Indian captain admitted the offences and agreed to the sanctions proposed by Akhtar Ahmed of the Emirates ICC International Panel of Match Referees. As a result, there was no need for a formal hearing, and the penalties were implemented promptly,” the release further mentioned.
Big blow ahead of Asian Games
In the aftermath of the controversial incident, Harmanpreet is likely to miss India’s first two matches in the upcoming Asian Games 2023 as there is no series scheduled before that. In her absence, opener Smriti Mandhana is likely to lead the Indian team in the first two matches of group stage.
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