ICC Fines Arshdeep Singh for Code of Conduct Breach During New Zealand T20I
India fast bowler Arshdeep Singh has been penalized by the International Cricket Council (ICC) following an on-field altercation during a T20 International against New Zealand in Ahmedabad. The left-arm pacer received a 15 percent fine on his match fee for violating Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct.
The ICC found Arshdeep guilty of breaching Article 2.9, which governs the inappropriate or dangerous throwing of a ball or cricket equipment at or near a player during an international fixture. Alongside the financial penalty, the match referee added one demerit point to Arshdeep’s disciplinary record, marking his first offense within the current 24-month cycle.
Incident Details and Match Officials
The breach occurred during the 11th over of the New Zealand innings. After fielding the ball on his follow-through, Arshdeep threw it back toward the stumps, striking batter Daryl Mitchell on the pads. The on-field umpires determined the action was aggressive and unwarranted.
Arshdeep accepted the sanction proposed by Andy Pycroft of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees. Because the player admitted the offense and accepted the penalty, a formal hearing was not required under the standard operating procedures of the Board of Control for Cricket in India and the ICC.
| Charge Levied By | Official Name |
|---|---|
| On-field Umpires | Richard Illingworth, Alex Wharf |
| Third Umpire | Allahuddien Paleker |
| Fourth Umpire | Adrian Holdstock |
| Match Referee | Andy Pycroft |
Understanding ICC Demerit Points
The ICC utilizes a demerit point system to monitor player behavior across all formats. Level 1 breaches carry a minimum penalty of an official reprimand and a maximum penalty of 50 percent of a player’s match fee, plus one or two demerit points.
- Players who accrue four or more demerit points within a 24-month period will see them converted into suspension points.
- Two suspension points trigger an automatic ban from one Test match, two One Day Internationals, or two T20 Internationals, depending on the immediate match schedule.
- All demerit points remain active on a disciplinary record for exactly 24 months from the infraction date before being permanently expunged.
Arshdeep remains available for immediate selection, provided he avoids further disciplinary actions that could trigger a match suspension.