Harmanpreet Kaur could reportedly be handed 4 demerit points
as penalty for her actions during and after the 3rd ODI against Bangladesh.
Indian women's cricket team captain Harmanpreet Kaur's
scathing criticism of the umpires in the tied third ODI against Bangladesh has
put her in the spotlight. Harmanpreet first shattered her stumps after getting
dismissed in the match, then went on to launch a relentless attack at the
umpires in the post-match presentation ceremony as well as the series-end
photoshoot. Though the sanctions that Harmanpreet is to face haven't been
announced yet, either by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) or
the International Cricket Council (ICC), reports suggest that a hefty penalty
could be coming.
Earlier, Cricbuzz reported
that Harmanpreet's actions in the final ODI of the series are likely to cost
her 75% of her match fee as well as 4 demerit points. If such a penalty is indeed
issued, India's campaign in the forthcoming Asian Games could be in jeopardy.
As per an ESPNCricinfo report,
the match officials have recommended three demerit points for equipment
damage and one demerit point for criticising the match officials in public.
As per the ICC
rules, a player who accumulates 4 demerit points in 24 months, will be
suspended for 1 Test or 2 ODIs, or 2 T20Is, whichever are scheduled to be held
next. With the Indian women's team already through to the quarter-finals of the
Asian Games, the team's next matches will be the quarters and semis in the
competition.
If Harmanpreet is
indeed issued a penalty of 4 demerit points, she would be forced to miss the
two crucial knockout matches, but will be available for the final if the Indian
team manges to qualify.
The Indian women's
team skipper has also received criticism from some of the former players. Anjum
Chopra and Madan Lal have both slammed the senior batter for her actions
in the match, suggesting there were better ways to raise concerns over umpiring
issues in the match than to go on the sort of rant she did.