Recently, a series of three T20 and as many ODIs was played between the women’s cricket teams of India and Bangladesh. There was no controversy in the T20 series, but the ODI series was full of controversies. The controversy reached its peak in the third ODI between the two teams which ended in a tie.
During the third ODI, Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur was given out LBW by Bangladeshi umpire Tanveer Ahmed, after which Harman angrily hit the stumps with her bat and argued with the umpire. Not only this, after the end of the match, Harmanpreet also fiercely criticized the Bangladeshi umpires. Now the International Cricket Council (ICC) seems to be in a mood of strict action regarding this whole matter.
Will get 4 demerit points and will be banned for so many matches
According to the report of ESPN Cricinfo, Harmanpreet may get four demerit points for violating Level-2 of the Code of Conduct. Harmanpreet can be given three demerit points for hitting the stumps and one demerit point for criticizing the match officials. Due to getting four demerit points, Harmanpreet can be banned for two matches. Although the ICC has not yet issued any statement regarding this. At present, the BCCI is talking to the ICC on this matter.
According to ICC rules, when a player gets four demerit points within 24 months, they are converted into suspension points and the player is banned. Two demerit points are needed to ban one Test or two ODIs or two T20 matches. If Harmanpreet is suspended, then this suspension will be applicable during the series of three ODIs and three T20 matches against South Africa in September-October. Harmanpreet will be the first female player to be banned under Level-2.
What is the level-2 rule of ICC?
Let us tell you that the rule of Level-2 is related to the behavior of the players on the field. Expressing serious disagreement with an umpire’s decision, publicly criticizing a match-related incident or match officials, attempting to damage match equipment, aggressively throwing the ball at an umpire or official, using foul language is considered an ICC Level-2 offence.
Harman got demerit points in 2017 as well
If Harmanpreet Kaur is found guilty of violating the code of conduct, she will join Veda Krishnamurthy’s special list. So far, Veda has been the only Indian woman cricketer who was found guilty of violating the code of conduct twice. Harmanpreet had earlier received demerit points during the 2017 World Cup. Then Harman had angrily dropped his helmet on the ground during Australia’s semi-final match, which was considered a Level-1 offence. So far there are 29 women cricketers who have been found guilty of violating the code of conduct.