Kamal Ghorui
India fast bowler Arshdeep Singh has been fined 15 per cent of his match fee for breaching Level 1 of the International Cricket Council Code of Conduct during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 final against New Zealand national cricket team in Ahmedabad on Sunday.Arshdeep was found guilty of breaching Article 2.9 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to “throwing a ball (or any other item of cricket equipment) at or near a player in an inappropriate and/or dangerous manner during an International Match.”
In addition to the fine, one demerit point has been added to Arshdeep’s disciplinary record. It is his first offence within a 24-month period.The incident took place in the 11th over of New Zealand’s innings when Arshdeep fielded the ball on his follow-through and threw it back aggressively, striking batter Daryl Mitchell on the pads.Arshdeep accepted the sanction proposed by Andy Pycroft of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees, meaning there was no need for a formal hearing.The charge was levelled by on-field umpires Richard Illingworth and Alex Wharf, third umpire Allahuddien Paleker, and fourth umpire Adrian Holdstock.Level 1 breaches carry a minimum penalty of an official reprimand and a maximum penalty of 50 per cent of a player’s match fee, along with one or two demerit points.HOW DEMERIT POINTS WORKWhen a player accumulates four or more demerit points within a 24-month period, they are converted into suspension points, which can result in a ban.Two suspension points equate to a ban from one Test or two ODIs or two T20Is, whichever comes first for the player.Demerit points remain on a player or player support personnel’s disciplinary record for 24 months from the date they are imposed, after which they are expunged.
