India pacer Kranti Gaud has been fined 10 per cent of her match fee for breaching the International Cricket Council’s Code of Conduct during the Women’s T20 Asia Cup final against Sri Lanka in Dubai.

The incident occurred during the opening over of Sri Lanka’s run chase, when Gaud dismissed opener Imesha Dulani after the batter attempted a lap shot for the second time. The Indian fast bowler then celebrated by gesturing towards the pavilion, an action the match officials deemed inappropriate under the ICC’s disciplinary regulations.

The sanction was announced after India defeated Sri Lanka by 72 runs to win the Women’s Asia Cup title. Along with the financial penalty, Gaud received one demerit point, which was her first disciplinary offence during the previous 24 months.

Kranti Gaud Penalised for Pavilion Gesture

Gaud was found guilty of breaching Article 2.5 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel. The provision relates to language, actions or gestures that disparage a dismissed batter or could provoke an aggressive response during an international match.

The incident unfolded early in Sri Lanka’s innings. Dulani opened the chase with a boundary off Gaud, using a lap shot to collect four runs from the first delivery she faced. However, the Sri Lankan opener attempted a similar stroke three balls later and was dismissed.

Gaud reacted energetically to the wicket and pointed in the direction of the pavilion. While such celebrations can emerge naturally during a high-pressure contest, the gesture was considered to have crossed the line established by the ICC’s code.

The offence was classified as a Level 1 breach. Gaud accepted the charge and agreed to the sanction proposed by match referee Supriya Rani Das of the Emirates ICC International Panel of Match Referees. As a result, no formal hearing was required.

One Demerit Point Added to Gaud’s Record

In addition to the 10 per cent fine, Gaud was handed one demerit point. The point has been added to her disciplinary record and will remain relevant within the ICC’s 24-month monitoring period.

Demerit points are used to track repeated breaches of the Code of Conduct. Although Gaud’s latest offence was treated as a Level 1 violation, further incidents during the same period could lead to more serious consequences.

The sanction does not affect India’s result in the final, nor does it automatically prevent Gaud from participating in future matches. However, it serves as a reminder that players are expected to maintain appropriate conduct even during emotionally charged moments.

The ICC has increasingly emphasised respectful on-field behaviour, particularly in situations involving dismissals, celebrations and exchanges between players. Send-off gestures may appear minor, but actions that could provoke an aggressive reaction are specifically covered by Article 2.5.

Incident Took Place During Sri Lanka’s Early Collapse

The dismissal of Dulani came at a crucial stage of Sri Lanka’s chase. India had posted a strong total after being asked to bat first, and Sri Lanka needed a confident start to remain competitive in the final.

Dulani’s early boundary briefly offered Sri Lanka encouragement. However, her dismissal soon after placed the chasing side under pressure. India’s bowlers continued to exploit the conditions, and Sri Lanka struggled to maintain the required scoring rate.

Gaud’s wicket was part of India’s disciplined bowling effort, although the pacer’s celebration later became the subject of disciplinary action. The Indian team eventually completed a comfortable victory, securing another major title in women’s cricket.

The final result was overshadowed to some extent by the controversy surrounding the trophy presentation, but India’s performance on the field remained dominant. The team controlled the contest with both bat and ball and successfully defended its total by a substantial margin.

India Claim Eighth Women’s Asia Cup Title

India defeated Sri Lanka by 72 runs in the final to win their eighth Women’s Asia Cup title. The victory was built around a powerful batting display and an impressive bowling performance.

Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma provided India with a strong platform at the top of the order. Mandhana scored 59, while Verma contributed 68 as India posted 183 for five.

Sri Lanka were unable to match India’s intensity during the chase. The Indian bowling attack kept taking wickets at regular intervals, with Shree Charani producing a standout performance by claiming four wickets for 20 runs.

Sri Lanka were eventually dismissed for 111, giving India a convincing victory and another continental championship. The result also reinforced India’s position as one of the leading teams in women’s T20 cricket.

Also Read-Varun Chakaravarthy Suffers Fresh Injury Setback, Asian Games Participation in Doubt

Pakistan Fined for Slow Over-Rate

The ICC also imposed a separate sanction on Pakistan for maintaining a slow over-rate during their semi-final against Sri Lanka.

Pakistan were found to be one over short of the required rate after time allowances had been taken into consideration. Under Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct, players are fined five per cent of their match fee for every over their team fails to complete within the allotted time.

As a result, Pakistan’s players were fined five per cent of their match fees. Captain Fatima Sana accepted the charge, meaning that the matter was resolved without the need for a formal hearing.

The slow-over-rate penalty followed Pakistan’s four-wicket defeat against Sri Lanka in the second semi-final. Pakistan had scored 130 for five, with Fatima Sana making an unbeaten 47 from 36 deliveries. She also claimed four wickets, but Sri Lanka successfully chased down the target with eight balls remaining.

Fatima Sana Accepts Responsibility

Fatima Sana’s acceptance of the sanction brought the disciplinary process to a quick conclusion. The charge was raised after match officials determined that Pakistan had failed to maintain the required over-rate during the semi-final.

Slow-over-rate penalties have become a regular feature of international cricket, with teams expected to complete their overs within the prescribed time. Although playing conditions, injuries and other allowances can be considered, teams can still be penalised if they fall behind the required schedule.

For Pakistan, the fine added to the disappointment of missing out on a place in the final. The side had shown competitive moments during the tournament, but the defeat against Sri Lanka ended its title hopes.

The separate penalties involving India and Pakistan highlight two different areas of the ICC’s disciplinary framework. Gaud’s fine concerned player conduct after a dismissal, while Pakistan’s sanction related to the pace at which the team completed its bowling innings.

ICC Maintains Focus on Sportsmanship and Match Regulations

The latest actions demonstrate the ICC’s continued focus on ensuring that international matches are conducted according to established standards.

Players are permitted to celebrate wickets with passion and intensity, but celebrations must not become gestures that demean opponents or invite confrontation. Similarly, teams must manage their overs efficiently and remain within the time limits set by the playing conditions.

Gaud’s sanction is unlikely to diminish her contribution to India’s title-winning campaign, but it will serve as a disciplinary reminder for the young pacer. Pakistan’s fine, meanwhile, underlines the importance of maintaining the required over-rate throughout a tournament.

With the Women’s Asia Cup now concluded, the attention of the participating teams will shift towards their next international assignments. India will look to build on its title-winning campaign, while Sri Lanka and Pakistan will aim to address the areas that prevented them from going further in the competition.

For Gaud, the immediate focus will be on learning from the incident and ensuring that future celebrations remain within the boundaries of the ICC Code of Conduct.