Delhi Capitals wicketkeeper-batter Lizelle Lee has been fined 10 percent of her match fee and handed a demerit point for breaching Women’s Premier League (WPL) Code of Conduct in the match against Mumbai Indians Women at the BCA Stadium in Vadodara on 20 January 2026. Lee accepted responsibility for the offence and the penalty, which was imposed under Article 2.2 of the WPL Code of Conduct governing on-field behavior.
The incident occurred during the 11th over of Delhi Capitals’ chase of 155 when Lee was adjudged stumped off Amanjot Kaur’s bowling after an extended third-umpire review. Television replays showed that Lee’s bat was momentarily off the ground at the exact moment wicketkeeper Rahila Firdous dislodged the bails, leading to the dismissal being upheld. Lee had been batting fluently, scoring 46 runs off 28 balls, and looked set for another substantial contribution before her departure.
While Level 1 breaches of the Code of Conduct are considered the least severe, they cover actions such as abuse of cricket equipment or dissent that fall short of physical or egregious misconduct. In this case, the infringement was classified under a provision relating to the abuse of equipment during play, and the match referee’s decision on the sanction was described as final and binding in the league’s official advisory.
WPL organizers issued a media release confirming Lee’s admission of the offence and the resulting fine and demerit point, “Lee admitted to the Level 1 offence under Article 2.2 of the Code of Conduct, which relates to abuse of equipment during the match. For Level 1 breaches, the Match referee’s decision is final and binding.”
Such disciplinary measures are designed to uphold standards of professionalism and conduct among players in one of women’s cricket’s most-watched leagues. The demerit point will remain on Lee’s disciplinary record and could have consequences if additional breaches occur later in the season. The WPL Code of Conduct, similar to other major T20 leagues, sets out a framework for maintaining respect for match officials, opponents, and the spirit of the game.
Despite the disciplinary action, Lee’s contribution with the bat was significant in the context of the match. Her 46 helped lay the foundation for Delhi Capitals’ seven-wicket victory, with captain Jemimah Rodrigues anchoring the chase with an unbeaten 51 off 37 deliveries. This win was crucial in keeping Delhi Capitals in the hunt for a playoff spot with several teams tightly packed on points in this stage of the WPL season.
Lee has been one of the standout overseas performers for Delhi Capitals this season. Having been purchased at her base price in the WPL auction, she has impressed with consistent scoring, accumulating 213 runs in five innings at a strong average and strike rate of 154, and is also in the top 3 run getters of the league this season behind Harmanpreet Kaur and Nat Sciver-Brunt.
The incident and subsequent sanction reinforce the emphasis the WPL places on professional conduct, even as the league continues to showcase rising and established talent in women’s cricket. As the competition progresses toward playoff contention, teams and players will be mindful of both on-field performance and behavioral expectations, with disciplinary frameworks actively enforced to ensure the integrity of the game.
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