New Delhi: India opener Shafali Verma has been handed an official reprimand and one demerit point for breaching the ICC Code of Conduct during the second Women's T20I against Zimbabwe in Raipur. The 22-year-old was penalised after throwing the ball to the ground in frustration following a dropped catch during the opposing team's innings.
The incident took place in the 12th over when Shafali dropped Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano at mid-off off the bowling of Sree Charani. Her reaction was judged to violate Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct, specifically concerning the abuse of cricket equipment or ground equipment during an international fixture.
Shafali accepted the offense and agreed to the sanction proposed by match referee G.S. Lakshmi, avoiding the need for a formal hearing. This marked her first disciplinary infraction within a rolling 24-month period under the governing body's regulations.
Level 1 infractions carry a minimum penalty of an official reprimand alongside potential fines of up to 50 percent of a player's match fee and one or two demerit points. Accumulating four or more demerit points over a two-year span translates into suspension points.
Despite the penalty, Shafali delivered a standout performance with the bat to help India secure the three-series match with an encounter to spare. Having managed only four runs in the series opener, the right-hander responded in the second fixture with an explosive, unbeaten 55 off 25 balls.
Partnering with captain Smriti Mandhana, who contributed an unbeaten 47 from 25 deliveries, the duo formed a dominant 96-run opening stand. India restricted Zimbabwe to 102 for eight before effortlessly chasing down the target in 8.5 overs for a nine-wicket win, sealing an unassailable 2-0 lead.
Having wrapped up the series, India enters the final fixture aiming for a clean sweep to conclude the bilateral contest in Raipur.