Harmanpreet Kaur suspended for next 2 International Matches by ICC

India’s women’s cricket team has been dealt a major blow as their captain, Harmanpreet Kaur, has been suspended for the next two international matches due to two separate breaches of the ICC Code of Conduct. The incidents occurred during the third match of the ICC Women’s Championship series against Bangladesh in Dhaka, raising concerns over the captain’s on-field behavior.

 

The first breach occurred when Kaur expressed frustration after her dismissal, resorting to hitting the wickets with her bat. This act was deemed a Level 2 offense, resulting in a fine of 50 percent of her match fee and three demerit points on her disciplinary record. The breach was in violation of Article 2.8 of the ICC Code of Conduct, which pertains to “showing dissent at an umpire’s decision.”

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ICC takes action against Harmanpreet Kaur for her behaviour in Bangladesh & suspends her for 2 International matches. #CricketTwitter #BANvIND pic.twitter.com/ey7Ln92cB0

— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) July 25, 2023

Adding to her troubles, Kaur was also fined 25 percent of her match fee for a Level 1 offense involving “public criticism in relation to an incident occurring in an international match.” During the presentation ceremony, she openly criticized the umpiring in the match, leading to one demerit point on her disciplinary record for this offense.

Accepting responsibility for her actions, Harmanpreet Kaur admitted to the breaches and agreed to the sanctions proposed by Akhtar Ahmed of the Emirates ICC International Panel of Match Referees. This prompt acceptance meant that a formal hearing was not required, and the penalties were swiftly implemented.

The consequences for a Level 2 breach can be severe, ranging from 50 to 100 percent of the player’s match fee, along with three or four demerit points. On the other hand, a Level 1 breach entails a minimum penalty of an official reprimand and can go up to 50 percent of the player’s match fee, along with one or two demerit points.

In Harmanpreet Kaur’s case, her accumulation of four demerit points from the breaches translated to two suspension points. Consequently, she will now face a suspension from either one Test match or two ODIs or two T20Is, depending on the team’s schedule.

The suspension comes as a significant setback for India’s women’s team, as Kaur’s leadership and contributions on the field have been instrumental to their success. Her aggressive batting style and strategic captaincy have earned her a reputation as a key player in the squad.

While her absence will be felt in the upcoming matches, the team will need to regroup and fill the void left by their suspended captain. Kaur’s suspension serves as a reminder to all players about the importance of upholding the spirit of the game and adhering to the principles of fair play.