Gurnoor Brar handed warning after ball-throwing incident at Edgbaston

Indian pacer Gurnoor Brar has received an official warning from the ICC for a level one Code of Conduct breach during the first ODI against England at Edgbaston on Tuesday, July 14. The incident unfolded during his opening spell when tensions between the young right-arm speedster and England opener Ben Duckett escalated into an aggressive moment captured on live broadcast.

The exchange occurred in the eighth over of England’s innings, Brar’s opening spell in the match. After Duckett struck Brar for one boundary and two sixes in his first over, the pacer fired the ball back towards the batter in frustration immediately after collecting it. Duckett evaded the throw, and the pair exchanged words with smiles before play continued. Despite the theatrics, Brar recovered well later, taking both England openers in his third spell. He finished with figures of 2 for 61 across 9 overs as England posted 258.

Brar was found to have breached Article 2.9 of the ICC Code of Conduct, which covers the inappropriate and dangerous throwing of the ball at or near a player during an international match. The Gujarat Titans’ seamer admitted the offence and accepted the sanction without contesting it, meaning no formal hearing was required. Level 1 breaches carry a minimum penalty of 50 per cent of a player’s match fee, and one or two demerit points.

“Brar admitted the offence and accepted the sanction proposed by match referee Richie Richardson of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees, and as such, there was no need for a formal hearing,” the ICC said on Thursday.

The demerit point will sit on Brar’s record for two years. According to ICC regulations, if a player accumulates four or more demerit points within 24 months, a one-Test or two limited-over match ban follows. At 26 years old, Brar now has his first demerit point and faces no immediate playing restrictions from this breach.

The warning does not prevent him from featuring in upcoming matches. The 2nd ODI is scheduled for Thursday, July 16, at Sophia Gardens in Cardiff. India lead the three-match series 1-0 following their six-wicket victory in Birmingham. The young pacer is expected to be part of the side as India seek to clinch the series with another victory and continue their quest to rediscover form after the difficult T20I leg of the tour.

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