India captain Shubman Gill could face sanctions for his on-field conduct during the Lord's Test.
Tempers flared right at the end of day three. India had been bowled out for 387, matching England's first-innings total, and had just enough time to fit in two overs before stumps.
However, England opener Zak Crawley, intent to ensure that the first over India bowled was the last of the day, employed a few time-wasting tactics, including pulling out multiple times ahead of one delivery.
When Crawley pulled out for the final time, pointing behind bowler Jasprit Bumrah's arm to an apparent disturbance in the crowd, India's slip cordon did not take kindly to it. Captain Gill, also part of the cordon, walked up to Crawley and could be heard on the stump mic saying, “Grow some f****** balls!”
The visiting skipper was further incensed when Crawley called the physio on two balls later after being struck on the hand, exchanging a few more words and mockingly crossing his arms to make the signal for an 'Impact Player', as in the IPL.
Is Shubman Gill at risk of a ban?
Article 2.3 of the ICC's Code of Conduct for Players “covers the use of words commonly known and understood to be offensive, obscene and/or profane (in any language) and which can be heard by the spectators and/or the viewing public whether by way of the stump-microphone or otherwise. This conduct may include, for example, swearing in frustration at one’s own play or fortune.”
The use of an audible obscenity is only a Level 1 offence, meaning Gill could receive a warning and/or be fined upto 50 per cent of his match fee. If the punishment is a warning and/or a fine upto 25 per cent, one demerit point will be added to his record. A fine of 26-50 per cent of Gill's match fee would attract two demerit points.
There is also a chance that Gill is sanctioned under Article 2.8 of the Code of Conduct, relating to showing dissent at an umpire's decision, for his prolonged discussions with the officials on day two, regarding the condition of the ball.
Dissent can be a Level 1 or a Level 2 offence. In the case of the latter, a player can be fined 50-100 per cent of their match fee, or upto two suspension points, which automatically leads to a one-Test ban. One suspension point adds three demerit points to the player's disciplinary record, and two suspension points add four demerit points.
Gill's previous Code of Conduct breach came during the 2023 WTC final, for public criticism of an umpire's decision, on social media. He was fined 15 per cent of his match fee, and received one demerit point. Since that was over 24 months ago, his current disciplinary record is clean.
Therefore, the Indian captain will receive a ban only if his dissent is deemed worthy of at least two suspension points, or if he accumulates four demerit points in this Test. Both scenarios are quite rare, generally speaking.
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