ICC suspends India captain Harmanpreet Kaur for two matches, imposes severe fine

The ICC suspended Harmanpreet for the next two international matches following two separate breaches of the ICC Code of Conduct during the third and final ODI against Bangladesh on July 22.

In the first incident, Kaur smashed the wickets with her bat to express her frustration at the on-field umpire’s decision after she was adjudged caught at slip cordon by spinner Nahida Akter in the 34th over of India’s innings.

ICC takes action stern against Harmanpreet Kaur

The right-handed batter from Moga was therefore fined 50 per cent of her match fee for the Level 2 offence and received three demerit points on her disciplinary record.

The 34-year-old cricketer was found ‘guilty of breaching article 2.8 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, relating to ‘showing dissent at an umpire’s decision’.’

During the presentation ceremony, Kaur openly criticised the umpiring in the match and the ICC imposed an extra 25 per cent fine on her match fee for a Level 1 offence relating to “public criticism in relation to an incident occurring in an international match”.

“The Indian captain admitted the offences and agreed to the sanctions proposed by Akhtar Ahmed of the Emirates ICC International Panel of Match Referees. As a result, there was no need for a formal hearing, and the penalties were implemented promptly,” said the ICC release.

Kaur has been facing criticism from all quarters for her unruly behaviour and several legends of the game had been demanding strict action against her to set a precedent. Former India captain Diana Edulji called Kaur’s action as ‘deplorable, ugly conduct.’

In her column for the Indian Express, Edulji claimed that the current India skipper set bad examples for her teammates by acting the way she did.