Saini warned by ICC for breaching Code of Conduct

Indian pacer Navdeep Saini has been warned by the ICC for violating the Code of Conduct. He has received an official warning from the governing body for breaching Level 1 in relation to using aggressive gestures.

The incident occurred during the first T20I between India and West Indies in Florida on Saturday. During the fourth over of the first innings, Saini managed to dismiss Nicholas Pooran. He then used aggressive send-off gestures towards the wicketkeeper-batsman during his celebrations.

The charges were levelled on him by on-field umpires Nigel Duguid and Gregory Braithwaite, third umpire Leslie Reifer and fourth official Patrick Gustard. The pacer admitted to committing the offence and accepted the sanctions imposed by the match officials.

The ICC released a statement confirming the charge:

“India’s Navdeep Saini has received an official warning for breaching Level One of the ICC Code of Conduct during India’s first T20I game against the West Indies in Florida. Saini was found to have breached Article 2.5 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to using actions or gestures which could provoke an aggressive reaction from a batter upon their dismissal. He has also been handed one demerit point.”

Saini had a dream debut for India, picking up 3 wickets and conceding only 17 runs. His man-of-the-match performance helped the team to seal a comfortable win. India also tasted victory in the following  T20I, taking an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series. The two sides will play in a final T20I game on Tuesday in Guyana.