Kranti Gaud fined 10% of match fee for breaching ICC code of conduct during Women's Asia Cup final

Kranti Gaud was fined 10 per cent of her match fee for breaching the ICC Code of Conduct during the Women’s T20 Asia Cup final against Sri Lanka in Dubai on Sunday, September 13. The incident took place in the first over of Sri Lanka’s innings.

Gaud dismissed Sri Lankan opener Imesha Dulani and then made a gesture towards the pavilion. The gesture was considered a breach of Article 2.5 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel.

Article 2.5 covers actions, language or gestures that could disparage a batter or provoke an aggressive reaction after their dismissal. The ICC confirmed the breach on Monday (September14), with Gaud found guilty and handed a fine of 10 per cent of her match fee.

What happened: Kranti Gaud's send-off Gesture in the Asia Cup Final

The incident happened in the opening over of Sri Lanka’s chase. Imesha Dulani hit a boundary off Kranti Gaud’s first ball with a lap shot. Three balls later, Dulani tried the same shot but was dismissed. Gaud then celebrated by gesturing towards the pavilion, giving Dulani a send-off.

The gesture led to a disciplinary charge against Gaud. ICC match referee Supriya Rani Das proposed the sanction after the on-field umpires, Saleema Imtiaz and Shathira Jakir Jesy, reported the incident. Third umpire Rokeya Sultana and fourth umpire Humaira Farah were also part of the match officials.

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Gaud admitted the charge and accepted the penalty, so there was no need for a formal hearing. Along with the 10 per cent fine, one demerit point was added to her disciplinary record. It was her first offence in a 24-month period, while a Level 1 offence can carry a fine of up to 50 per cent of the match fee and up to two demerit points.

ICC's full ruling — Article 2.5 breach and demerit point explained

Kranti Gaud was found guilty of breaching Article 2.5 of the ICC Code of Conduct. The rule covers language, actions or gestures that could disparage a batter or provoke an aggressive reaction after their dismissal during an international match.

The India pacer admitted the offence and accepted the sanction proposed by match referee Supriya Rani Das of the Emirates ICC International Panel of Match Referees. This meant there was no need for a formal hearing. One demerit point was also added to her disciplinary record, marking her first offence in a 24-month period.

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The charge was levelled by the match officials, including on-field umpires Saleema Imtiaz and Shathira Jakir Jesy, third umpire Rokeya Sultana and fourth umpire Humaira Farah. Level 1 breaches can carry a fine of up to 50 per cent of the match fee and one or two demerit points. Gaud’s sanction came after India defeated Sri Lanka by 72 runs to win the Women’s Asia Cup for a record eighth time.

Fans react to the ICC's action against Kranti Gaud

Fans reacted to the ICC’s decision to fine Kranti Gaud 10 per cent of her match fee for her send-off gesture during the Women’s Asia Cup final. The Indian pacer dismissed Imesha Dulani in the opening over and then gestured towards the pavilion.

While some fans felt the punishment was fair under the ICC rules, others believed the fine was too harsh for a moment of celebration. Many supporters said such gestures are common in competitive cricket and should not take away from Gaud’s performance.

The reaction also came after India’s impressive win over Sri Lanka in the final. India secured a record eighth Women’s Asia Cup title with a 72-run victory, and fans praised the team while also discussing the ICC’s action against Gaud.