Hardik Pandya sanctioned by ICC for celebrating excessively

India all-rounder Hardik Pandya has been reprimanded for breaching International Cricket Council’s (ICC) code of conduct during the first T20I against Australia in Adelaide on January 26.

The 22-year-old Pandya, who made his international debut at the Adelaide Oval, was sanctioned for “celebrating excessively” after dismissing Chris Lynn.

“India’s Hardik Pandya has received an official reprimand for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct during the first Twenty20 International against Australia in Adelaide on Tuesday,” ICC said in a media release on Thursday (January 28).

The player was found to have breached Article 2.1.7 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to “Using language, actions or gestures which disparage or which could provoke an aggressive reaction from a batsman upon his/her dismissal during an International Match”, it added.

Hardik Pandya’s first over of his international career was very erratic. The all-rounder was brought in to bowl in the 8th over of the Australian innings and conceded 19 runs off the lengthy 11 ball over. He was again brought back by Dhoni in the 16th over when the incident happened. After dismissing Lynn caught by Yuvraj Singh, Pandya “celebrated excessively in close proximity to the dismissed batsman, which could have provoked an aggressive reaction”.

Pandya admitted the offence and accepted the sanction proposed by Jeff Crowe of the Elite Panel of ICC Match Referees. As such, there was no need for a formal hearing. The charge was levelled by on-field umpires Simon Fry and John Ward, third umpire Paul Wilson and fourth official Gerard Abood.

For all first offences, Level 1 breaches carry a minimum penalty of an official reprimand and a maximum penalty of 50% of a player’s match fee.