Sports
India Pacer Gurnoor Brar Warned by ICC After ‘Dangerous’ Ball-Throwing Incident… Debut Tour Takes an Unexpected Turn
The young Indian fast bowler has received an official warning and one demerit point for breaching the ICC Code of Conduct during the first ODI against England, despite impressing with the ball in India’s victory.
India’s promising fast bowler Gurnoor Brar has been officially warned by the International Cricket Council (ICC) following an incident during the first One-Day International against England at Edgbaston.
The disciplinary action comes despite Brar playing a key role in India’s six-wicket victory, which ended the team’s difficult run on its ongoing United Kingdom tour after a string of defeats in the T20I format.
Why Did the ICC Take Action?
According to the ICC, Brar breached Article 2.9 of the ICC Code of Conduct, which relates to:
“Throwing a ball at or near a player in an inappropriate and/or dangerous manner during an international match.”
The incident occurred during the eighth over of England’s innings when the Indian pacer, while fielding, threw the ball towards the batter in a manner the match officials deemed inappropriate.
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As a result, the 26-year-old fast bowler has:
- Received an official warning
- Been handed one demerit point
- Recorded his first offence within a 24-month period
Brar accepted the charge and the sanction proposed by Richie Richardson, a member of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees, eliminating the need for a formal disciplinary hearing.
The charge was brought forward by on-field umpires Kumar Dharmasena and Mike Burns, along with third umpire Sam Nogajski and fourth official Russell Warren.
A Memorable Match Despite the Warning
While the disciplinary issue grabbed headlines, Brar also enjoyed an impressive outing with the ball.
Playing in only the early stages of his international career after making his debut against Afghanistan last month, the left-arm pacer finished with figures of:
2 wickets for 61 runs
His dismissals included England openers:
Brar also contributed in the field by taking an important catch to dismiss former England captain Jos Buttler, who managed only five runs before returning to the pavilion.
What Does a Level 1 Breach Mean?
The ICC categorises offences under different levels depending on their seriousness.
A Level 1 breach carries:
- An official reprimand
- A fine of up to 50% of the player’s match fee
- One or two demerit points
Since this is Brar’s first offence within the past two years, the punishment remains limited to a warning and a single demerit point.
Repeated offences, however, can lead to suspension points and potential match bans if a player’s disciplinary record accumulates over time.
India Takes 1-0 Lead
The incident came in a match that otherwise proved highly positive for India.
The visitors defeated England by six wickets in the opening ODI to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
With the second ODI scheduled to be played in Cardiff, India will look to secure the series, while Brar will hope to keep the focus on his performances with the ball rather than disciplinary matters.
Although the ICC’s warning serves as a reminder about maintaining on-field discipline, the young pacer’s impressive debut performances suggest he remains an exciting prospect for India’s pace attack moving forward.
