Dubai, Sept 15:
India women’s team seamer Kranti Gaud has been fined 10 per cent of her match fee and handed one demerit point for breaching the ICC Code of Conduct during the Women’s Asia Cup final against Sri Lanka.
Gaud was found guilty of a Level 1 breach under Article 2.5 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel. The provision relates to actions or gestures following a dismissal that disparage a batter or could provoke an aggressive reaction.
The incident occurred in the first over of Sri Lanka’s innings. After dismissing opener Imesha Dulani, Gaud made a gesture towards the pavilion. The match officials subsequently charged her with the offence.
Gaud admitted the breach and accepted the sanction proposed by match referee Supriya Rani Das of the Emirates ICC International Panel of Match Referees. As she accepted the punishment, there was no need for a formal hearing.
The demerit point is Gaud’s first in a 24-month period. Level 1 breaches carry a minimum penalty of an official reprimand and can result in a fine of up to 50 per cent of a player’s match fee, along with one or two demerit points.
The disciplinary action came immediately after India’s emphatic 72-run victory over Sri Lanka in the final. Gaud’s early breakthrough helped India gain control of the match, but her send-off subsequently resulted in the ICC sanction.