• TGN's Newsletter
  • Posts
  • Explained: why ICC has suspended Harmanpreet Kaur for 2 games -TGN

Explained: why ICC has suspended Harmanpreet Kaur for 2 games -TGN

Why has ICC suspended Harmanpreet Kaur for 2 games? The Indian cricket community recently experienced a shock. Their women’s team captain, Harmanpreet Kaur, may be ruled out of two crucial matches in the upcoming Asian Games. The International Cricket Council (ICC) has reportedly taken a stern stance against Kaur’s behavior during the third ODI against Bangladesh. Consequently, a four-point penalty is expected, which will result in a two-game suspension.

This incident occurred at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium during a heated match. The tension came to a head when Kaur, in an attempt to brush off a throw from Nahida Akter, missed the ball. Subsequently, a confident appeal from Nahida led the referee to raise his finger, signaling Kaur’s dismissal.

In response, Kaur exploded in a rage. She vented her frustration by hitting the stumps with her bat and exchanging short words with the umpire. In addition, she thanked the audience as she left the field with a defiant thumbs up. This unexpected display of aggression caused quite a stir and drew attention to the strict rules of conduct in international cricket.

The fallout from Kaur’s actions was far from over. During the presentation ceremony after the game, she strongly criticized the referee. She labeled it “pathetic” and expressed disappointment with certain decisions. This harsh criticism reportedly has her lined up for a level 2 violation of the ICC Code of Conduct.

The rules of the ICC clearly state that if a player earns four or more penalty points within 24 months, they will be converted to suspension points. Consequently, the player is banned. The ban includes one Test, two ODIs or two T20Is depending on the player’s upcoming schedule.

YOU MAY ALSO READ: 3 times Indian captain had heated battle with umpires

ICC has suspended Harmanpreet Kaur for 2 matches

Kaur’s upcoming challenge is the women’s T20 event in the Asian Games, which begins on September 19. The Indian women’s cricket team could potentially advance directly to the quarter-finals thanks to their high ICC ranking. But with Kaur potentially out of the picture, they would face the major challenge of entering the quarter and semi-finals without their influential skipper.

The ICC Code of Conduct states that “Prest Points remain on a player’s disciplinary record for 24 months after being imposed, after which they are expunged.” So players must maintain their on-field behavior not only for their immediate future, but also for two years ahead.

This incident underscores the importance of maintaining decorum and sticking to the spirit of the game, regardless of pressure or provocation. With Kaur potentially missing key matches, the Indian team’s journey in the Asian Games could become exponentially more difficult. Consequently, this serves as a crucial lesson for players at all levels of cricket.

While Kaur’s frustration is relatable, her actions have exposed her and her team to dire potential consequences. This situation also reminds us that all athletes, regardless of rank or reputation, are subject to the same rules and must uphold the values ​​of sportsmanship.