Indian fast bowler Kranti Gaud has been penalised 10% of her match fee for violating Level 1 of the International Cricket Council’s ( ICC) Code of Conduct during the women’s Asia Cup final against Sri Lanka in Dubai on Sunday.
The ICC said Gaud breached Article 2.5, which forbids “ using language, actions, or gestures that demean or could incite an aggressive response from a batter upon their dismissal during an International Match.” After Sri Lankan opener Imesha Dulani was dismissed in the first over of the innings, Gaud pointed toward the pavilion.
In addition to the financial penalty, Gaud received one demerit point. Since this is her first offence within the past 24 months, no suspension is currently activated. India had already comfortably won the match by 72 runs, having scored 183 for 5 and dismissing Sri Lanka for 111. The win secured India their eighth Women’s Asia Cup title, extending their record.
Gaud delivered a few overs, allowing eight runs while claiming one wicket. She confessed to the offence and accepted the sanction recommended by Supriya Rani Das of the Emirates ICC International Panel of Match Referees, eliminating the need for a formal hearing.
The charge was filed by on-field umpires Saleema Imtiaz and Shathira Jakir Jesy, third umpire Rokeya Sultana, and fourth umpire Humaira Farah. Violations at Level 1 of the ICC Code may result in penalties such as a formal reprimand, a fine of up to 50 per cent of the player’s match fee, and one or two demerit points.
Article 2.5 of the ICC Code of Conduct addresses behavior aimed at a batter who has just been dismissed in an international match. This rule is intended to stop actions that might insult or provoke a reaction from a player leaving the field, and it covers both spoken words and physical movements right after a wicket falls.
The article, as quoted by the ICC, addresses ‘ using language, actions or gestures that disparage, or which could provoke an aggressive reaction from a batter upon his/ her dismissal during an International Match’. Match referee Supriya Rani Das evaluated Gaud’s farewell gesture toward the pavilion using this standard.
