From the latest reports, the ICC has suspended Indian Women’s team Captain Harmanpreet Kaur for the next two international matches following two separate breaches of the ICC Code of Conduct.
This news is coming out as a major setback for the Indian Women’s team. After the ban on Harmanpreet Kaur, it is clear that she is out from the Initial matches of the upcoming Asian Games which is scheduled at Hangzhou.
Harmanpreet to miss key Asian Games 2023 matches after two-match ban
During the intense final One Day International (ODI) of the thrilling three-match series against Bangladesh in Dhaka, Harmanpreet Kaur faced some challenging moments. The first incident occurred when her frustration peaked after being dismissed. In an unusual display of dissent, she vented her disappointment on the stumps using her bat during the 34th over of India’s innings.
This act of public dissent was deemed a Level 2 offense according to the ICC rules, resulting in a substantial fine of half her match fee and three demerit points added to her disciplinary record. The specific breach fell under Article 2.8 of the ICC Code of Conduct, which deals with “showing dissent at an umpire’s decision.”
Subsequently, Harmanpreet found herself in the ICC’s spotlight again after the match when she openly criticized the umpiring during the presentation ceremony. This public criticism led to a further 25% reduction in her match fee and was categorized as a Level 1 offense, relating to “public criticism in relation to an incident occurring in an international match.”
The 34-year-old Indian skipper acknowledged her wrongdoings and gracefully accepted the penalties imposed by Akhtar Ahmed from the ICC International Panel of Match Referees. Her acceptance streamlined the process, bypassing the need for a formal hearing and ensuring the immediate implementation of the sanctions.
Harmanpreet had accumulated a total of four demerit points due to her violations, resulting in two suspension points, leading to her current suspension. This unfortunate ban implies that she will miss the quarterfinal and potentially the semi-final of the Asian Games 2023, should India secure a spot in these stages.
Given that the Women in Blue are ranked among the top four teams, they directly qualify for the quarterfinals. Should India advance successfully, Harmanpreet is expected to make a comeback for the final. In her absence, the team will be led by Smriti Mandhana, who will step up to fill the captaincy role.
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