Harmanpreet Kaur is probably going to get four demerit points for her behaviour during the third and final ODI between India and Bangladesh, which ended in a tie. Even though the ICC has not yet made a comment regarding the specific punishment, Harmanpreet is in danger of becoming the first female cricket player to be found guilty of a Level 2 breach of the ICC code of conduct, which addresses player behaviour.
On Saturday, Harmanpreet appeared to argue with umpire Tanvir Ahmed after being called out caught at slip. She then made a gesture in the direction of the fielders. Apart from Harmanpreet, Veda Krishnamurthy is the other Indian to have been found guilty twice.
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The last time Harmanpreet earned a demerit point was during the 2017 ODI World Cup semi-final against Australia. After working legspinner Kristen Beams through midwicket, she was involved in a mix-up with Deepti Sharma before they completed the double that brought up Harmanpreet’s century. Instead of celebrating the milestone, Harmanpreet flung her helmet to the ground and fired verbal volleys at Deepti. Harmanpreet was found guilty of a Level 1 offense, which she had accepted.
Players breaking the stumps – either with the bat or kicking them – while reacting to umpiring decisions is rare in cricket. Coincidentally, the most recent case also happened in Bangladesh. In 2021, Bangladesh allrounder Shakib Al Hasan was suspended for three matches and fined US$ 5800 (approx.) during a Dhaka Premier League T20 match between Abahani Limited and Mohammedan Sporting Club.
Shakib, who was leading Mohammedan, kicked the stumps immediately after umpire Imran Parvez turned down his lbw appeal against Mushfiqur Rahim. An over later, he ripped out all three stumps at the bowler’s end and threw them on the ground after umpire Mahfuzur Rahman called for the covers as it started to rain.
