On Tuesday, the International Cricket Council (ICC) took strict action against India women's team captain, Harmanpreet Kaur, for her aggressive behavior during the third One Day International (ODI) against Bangladesh on Saturday. As a result of two separate breaches of the ICC Code of Conduct, she has been suspended for the next two international matches.
The first incident occurred when Kaur showed frustration after being dismissed. She hit the wickets with her bat when the umpire ruled her caught at slip off spinner Nahida Akter in the 34th over of India's innings. This behavior led to a Level 2 offence under Article 2.8 of the ICC Code of Conduct, which relates to "showing dissent at an umpire's decision." For this breach, Kaur was fined 50 percent of her match fee and received three demerit points on her disciplinary record.
The second breach occurred during the presentation ceremony when Kaur publicly criticized the umpiring in the match. This amounted to a Level 1 offence under the ICC Code of Conduct, which deals with "public criticism in relation to an incident occurring in an international match." As a consequence, she was fined 25 percent of her match fee.
In response to the charges, Harmanpreet Kaur admitted her wrongdoing and accepted the sanctions proposed by Akhtar Ahmed of the Emirates ICC International Panel of Match Referees. Due to her cooperation, a formal hearing was not required, and the penalties were swiftly implemented.
The ICC follows a system of demerit points for different breaches of conduct. A Level 2 breach typically results in a penalty ranging from 50 to 100 percent of the player's match fee and three or four demerit points. On the other hand, a Level 1 breach incurs a minimum penalty of an official reprimand and a maximum penalty of 50 percent of the player's match fee, along with one or two demerit points.
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In Harmanpreet Kaur's case, the accumulation of four demerit points led to the conversion of these points into two suspension points. This, in turn, resulted in her suspension from either one Test match or two ODIs or two T20Is, depending on whichever comes first for the team.
It is essential for players to adhere to the ICC Code of Conduct, which maintains the integrity and spirit of the game. Breaching these rules can lead to severe consequences to uphold fair play and respect for the umpires' decisions. Players are encouraged to show good sportsmanship and handle their emotions appropriately on and off the field.
Harmanpreet Kaur's suspension serves as a reminder to all players about the importance of maintaining discipline and respecting the game's values. It also emphasizes the ICC's commitment to promoting a positive and respectful environment in cricket, where players, officials, and fans can enjoy the sport with integrity.
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