Shafali Verma has been penalized for breaching the ICC Code of Conduct in the 2nd T20I against Zimbabwe

India opener Shafali Verma was given an official reprimand and one point for breaching the ICC Code of Conduct during the second women’s T20I against Zimbabwe in Raipur on Sunday, October 18. The 22-year-old was penalized after throwing the ball to the ground in frustration after a dropped catch during Zimbabwe’s innings.

The incident occurred in the 12th over when Shafali dropped Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano at mid off off the bowling of Sree Charani. Shafali’s reaction was deemed a breach of Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct, specifically Article 2.2, which deals with the misuse of cricket equipment, clothing or ground equipment during an international match.

Shafali admitted the offense and accepted the sanction proposed by GS Lakshmi of the ICC Emirates International Umpire Panel. As a result, a formal hearing was not necessary. The offense was her first disciplinary offense in 24 months.

Under the ICC’s disciplinary rules, a Level 1 breach carries a minimum penalty of an official warning and can be fined up to 50 percent of the player’s match fee along with one or two demerit points. Four or more points accumulated within 24 months will be converted into suspension points.

SHAFALI REBOUNDS BACK WITH NEPAL

Despite the disciplinary setback, Shafali enjoyed a memorable outing with the bat in the second T20I, helping India seal the three-match series with a match to spare. The right-handed batsman struggled in the series opener, managing just four runs as Zimbabwean spinner Nyasha Gwanzura troubled the Indian top order to reduce the hosts to 19/4.

Shafali responded emphatically in the second game, smashing an unbeaten 55 off just 25 deliveries. Her aggressive innings featured a string of boundaries and sixes as she attacked the Zimbabwean bowlers. She also combined with skipper Smriti Mandhana, who scored an unbeaten 47 off 25 balls, to put together a match-winning 96-run opening partnership.

India restricted Zimbabwe to 102/8 before chasing down the target in just 8.5 overs to record a commanding nine-wicket win. The result gave India an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series and underlined Shafali’s ability to bounce back after a crushing performance in the opening match.

With the series already secured, India will look to maintain their momentum and complete a clean sweep in the final match. India will be looking for a 3-0 sweep in the third T20I in Raipur on Tuesday.

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