Harmanpreet Kaur Handed 2-Match Ban for Umpire Altercation During B’desh Series

Indian women’s cricket team captain, Harmanpreet Kaur, has been handed a two-match suspension by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for her outburst during the recent One Day International (ODI) against Bangladesh in Dhaka. The incident occurred on July 24th, 2023, when Kaur expressed her dissatisfaction with an umpiring decision by smashing her bat on the stumps and gesturing in protest towards the umpire, Tanvir Ahmed.

Kaur was also fined 25 percent of her match fee for a Level 1 offence related to “public criticism in relation to an incident occurring in an international match.” She openly criticized the umpiring during the post-match ceremony, describing it as “pathetic.”

The match officials recommended three demerit points for equipment damage and one demerit point for publicly criticizing match officials. The ICC will make the final decision. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is in discussions with the ICC about the situation.

If the ban is upheld, Kaur will be the first woman cricketer found guilty of a level-two breach of the ICC’s code of conduct, which governs player behaviour. Breaking the stumps in reaction to umpiring decisions is unusual in cricket, and the most recent case occurred in Bangladesh in 2021, resulting in a suspension for the player involved.

According to ICC regulations, players accumulating four or more demerit points within 24 months receive suspension points. Kaur is expected to receive three demerit points for damaging playing equipment and one for publicly criticizing match officials, totalling four demerit points, which equates to a two-match ban.

This is not the first time Kaur has faced penalties; she previously earned a demerit point during the 2017 ODI World Cup for misconduct.

The final decision regarding Kaur’s penalty lies with the ICC, and the BCCI is currently discussing the matter with the world governing body. If the ban is upheld, Kaur will likely miss the first two games of the upcoming South Africa home series.