Indian fast-bowler Jasprit Bumrah has received an official reprimand for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct during the first Test match against England, which ended in a 28-run loss for India at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) stated that Bumrah breached Article 2.12 of the ICC Code of Conduct, involving "inappropriate physical contact with a Player, Player Support Personnel, Umpire, Match Referee, or any other person (including a spectator during an International Match)." One demerit point has been added to Bumrah’s disciplinary record, as it was his first offence in a 24-month period.
The incident occurred in the 81st over of England’s second innings, where Bumrah intentionally stepped in Ollie Pope’s way during a run, resulting in inappropriate physical contact. Bumrah admitted to the offence and accepted the proposed sanction by Richie Richardson of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees, negating the need for a formal hearing.
On-field umpires Paul Reiffel and Chris Gaffaney, along with third umpire Marais Erasmus and fourth umpire Rohan Pandit, leveled the charge. Level 1 breaches carry a minimum penalty of an official reprimand, a maximum penalty of 50% of a player’s match fee, and one or two demerit points.
India's 28-run loss in the Test series opener resulted in them dropping three spots to fifth place in the current World Test Championship standings. With two defeats in the ongoing 2023-2025 WTC cycle, India's points percentage fell from 54.16 to 43.33. They now trail behind South Africa, New Zealand, and Bangladesh in the WTC points table. India's next Test against England is scheduled for February 2 at the Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam.
(With Agency Inputs)
