India women cricket team skipper Harmanpreet Kaur could face a two-match suspension due to her outburst during the tied third ODI against Bangladesh. The International Cricket Council (ICC) is yet to announce the retribution. But Kaur would become the first female player to receive a ban if action is taken.
According to ESPN, match officials assigned four demerit points to Kaur’s behavior during the game. Under ICC rules, accumulating four to seven demerit points within 24 months results. In a suspension of two ODIs or one Test or two T20Is, whichever comes first. The matter falls under Level 2 of ICC Rules, which addresses players’ behavior.
Harmanpreet Kaur expressed her frustration
During the match, Kaur expressed her frustration by breaking the stumps with her bat after being given out in the slip. She then argued with the umpire while leaving the field and criticized the umpire during the post-match presentation. The match officials recommended three demerit points for breaking the stumps and one for criticizing the official in public. The final decision rests with the ICC, while the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Is in discussions with the apex body regarding the matter.
Harmanpreet stated after the match, which ended in a tie. That there were valuable lessons to learn and expressed surprise at the umpiring during the game. The series concluded with a 1-1 scoreline, and she mentioned the need to prepare for such umpiring when visiting Bangladesh again. Kaur voiced disappointment with some of the umpires’ decisions, referring to them as “pathetic.”
As per the ICC’s code of conduct:-
As per the ICC’s code of conduct, players are subject to disciplinary actions based on demerit points accumulated over a 24-month period. Accumulating four or more demerit points results in a player’s suspension. For Kaur, this means she could potentially miss two crucial matches for the India women’s cricket team, a setback that would be hard to overlook.
Her behavior has been categorized as a Level 2 offense under the ICC’s disciplinary rules, which pertain to player conduct. This classification reflects the severity of her actions and the need for appropriate consequences.
Harmanpreet Kaur’s outburst did not end with the breaking of the stumps; she further escalated the situation by arguing with the umpire while leaving the field. The post-match presentation was also marred by her criticism of the umpiring decisions, publicly expressing her discontent with some of the calls made during the game.
