Shafali Verma reprimanded for breaching ICC Code of Conduct during 2nd T20I against Zimbabwe

Shafali Verma has been handed an official reprimand for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel during the second Women’s T20I between India and Zimbabwe in Raipur on October 18 2026. One demerit point has been added to her disciplinary record, and it was her first offence within a 24-month period.

The 22-year-old India T20I vice-captain was found to have breached Article 2.2 of the ICC Code of Conduct. The incident took place in the 12th over of Zimbabwe’s innings, when Verma dropped Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano at mid-off off Sree Charani’s bowling and threw the ball into the ground in frustration.

Verma admitted the offence and accepted the sanction proposed by match referee G.S. Lakshmi of the Emirates ICC International Panel of Match Referees. Because she accepted the charge, no formal hearing was required. India went on to win the match by nine wickets.

What does a Level 1 breach mean under the ICC Code of Conduct?

A Level 1 breach is the least severe category under the ICC Code of Conduct. The minimum penalty for such a breach is an official reprimand, while the maximum penalty is a fine of 50 per cent of a player’s match fee. One or two demerit points are also applied depending on the circumstances of the offence.

Article 2.2 of the ICC Code of Conduct, as cited by the ICC, covers the “abuse of cricket equipment or clothing, ground equipment or fixtures and fittings during an International Match.” Verma’s action of throwing the ball into the ground after a dropped catch fell squarely within this provision, and she received one demerit point at the lower end of the available range.

Demerit points remain on a player’s disciplinary record for 24 months from the date they are imposed, after which they are automatically expunged. If a player accumulates four or more demerit points within any 24-month period, those points are converted into suspension points and a ban is triggered. Two suspension points equate to a ban from one Test, two ODIs or two T20Is, whichever comes first for the player concerned. As this was Verma’s first offence in the relevant period, no suspension has been triggered at this stage.

Who levelled the charge and what is the next procedural step?

The charge against Verma was levelled by the on-field umpires Vrinda Rathi and Gayathri Venugopalan, along with third umpire Anna Harris and fourth umpire Janani Narayanan. Match referee G.S. Lakshmi of the Emirates ICC International Panel of Match Referees then proposed the sanction after reviewing the incident.

Because Verma admitted the offence and accepted the proposed sanction, the matter was resolved without a formal hearing. The one demerit point now sits on her record and will remain there until October 2028, at which point it will be automatically expunged provided no further breach occurs within that 24-month window.