ICC Reprimands Harshit Rana for Gesture in ODI

Indian pacer Harshit Rana received an official reprimand and one demerit point from the International Cricket Council on Wednesday for a provocative gesture toward South African batter Dewald Brevis during India's 17-run victory in the first one-day international in Ranchi on November 30.

The incident occurred in the 22nd over of South Africa's chase of 350. Rana dismissed Brevis, who had scored 37 off 27 balls with aggressive strokeplay, caught at the boundary by Ruturaj Gaikwad. In response, Rana pointed toward the South African dressing room, an action officials deemed capable of provoking an aggressive reaction from the batter. Rana was charged under Article 2.5 of the ICC Code of Conduct, which prohibits language, actions or gestures that disparage or incite upon a dismissal in international matches.

Match referee Richie Richardson, from the Emirates ICC Elite Panel, reviewed the episode and proposed the sanction. Rana, a 23-year-old fast bowler in his 24 months of international cricket, accepted the penalty without contest. This marks his first breach in the last two years, and the demerit point will remain on his record for 24 months. Under ICC rules, a Level 1 offense...