During India’s third and final one-day international (ODI) against Bangladesh, a heated incident involving Harmanpreet Kaur has led to possible penalties and suspension points. Following her dismissal, Harmanpreet reacted strongly by smashing the stumps with her bat and appeared to argue with the umpire. She then made a gesture towards the crowd, displaying her frustration.
At the post-match presentation, Harmanpreet didn’t hold back her criticism of the umpiring standards, describing them as “pathetic.” Her conduct during and after the match has caught the attention of match officials, who have recommended penalties for her behaviour. It is likely that she will receive four demerit points, three of which are for equipment damage and one for publicly criticising the match officials.
If the International Cricket Council (ICC) upholds the recommended demerit points, Harmanpreet will be the first female cricketer to be found guilty of a Level 2 breach of the ICC code of conduct, which deals with player behaviour. The final decision will be made by the ICC after considering the match officials’ recommendations.
According to the ICC’s rules, accumulating four or more demerit points within a 24-month period results in suspension points. In Harmanpreet’s case, reaching four demerit points could lead to a two-match suspension – either a ban from one Test or two ODIs or two T20Is, depending on the player’s schedule.
This is not the first time Harmanpreet has faced disciplinary action. In a previous incident during the 2017 ODI World Cup semi-final against Australia, she earned a demerit point for her outburst after a mix-up with another player. On that occasion, Harmanpreet was found guilty of a Level 1 offence.
In cricket, players breaking the stumps in response to umpiring decisions is a rare occurrence. Notably, another case of such behaviour happened in Bangladesh in 2021 when Shakib Al Hasan was suspended for three matches and fined for kicking the stumps during a Dhaka Premier League T20 match.
Fans and cricket authorities will closely watch the final decision on Harmanpreet’s penalties and possible suspension. As of now, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is reportedly in communication with the ICC regarding the matter. The cricketing community awaits the ICC’s statement on the exact penalty for Harmanpreet Kaur’s actions in the Dhaka match.
