Bumrah reprimanded for physical contact with Pope during Hyderabad Test

NewsIt was the first offence in last 24 months for the India bowler, and he was handed a demerit point

Jasprit Bumrah was handed a demerit point after “inappropriate physical contact” with Ollie Pope  •  AFP/Getty Images

Fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah has been reprimanded for breaching level one of the ICC Code of Conduct in the opening Test between India and England in Hyderabad. He was found guilty, and as a result, handed a demerit point.

Article 2.12 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, relates to “inappropriate physical contact with a Player, Player Support Personnel, Umpire, Match Referee or any other person (including a spectator during an International Match”.

It was Bumrah’s first offence in 24 months, and he accepted the sanction proposed by the match referee Richie Richardson, which meant there was no need of an official hearing.

The incident occurred in the 81st over of England’s second innings. Ollie Pope, who scored 196, pushed a delivery through the off side and went for a run, but Bumrah was reported to have intentionally stood in the way, a move which led to physical contact. Pope was not pleased, and was seen taking it to the on-field umpires even as Bumrah put his hands up in apology.

Bumrah picked up six wickets in the game, including 4 for 41 in the second innings. He bamboozled Ben Stokes for 70 in the first innings, and dismissed Ben Duckett and Joe Root in successive overs in an inspired spell in the second dig.

India lost the first of five Tests against England by 28 runs despite having a first-innings lead of 190. The second Test will be played in Visakhapatnam from February 2.