Gurnoor Brar handed demerit point for ICC Code of Conduct breach vs England
Synopsis
India pacer Gurnoor Brar has been sanctioned with one demerit point after throwing a ball at a batter in a dangerous manner during the first ODI at Edgbaston — his first disciplinary mark in 24 months. While the immediate impact is zero, four demerit points in the same window would trigger a ban. India still won the match by six wickets to lead the series 1-0.
Key Takeaways
Gurnoor Brar received an official warning and one demerit point for a Level 1 ICC Code of Conduct breach during the first ODI vs England at Edgbaston .
The breach involved throwing a ball towards a batter in an inappropriate and dangerous manner during the eighth over on 14 July 2025 .
Brar admitted the offence; match referee Richie Richardson imposed the sanction without a formal hearing.
This is Brar's first offence in a 24-month period; demerit points are expunged after 24 months if no further breaches occur.
Accumulating four or more demerit points within 24 months triggers a match ban under ICC rules.
India lead the three-match ODI series 1-0 after a six-wicket win; the second ODI is in Cardiff .
India fast bowler Gurnoor Brar has received an official warning and one demerit point after being found guilty of a Level 1 breach of the ICC Code of Conduct during the first ODI against England at Edgbaston on 14 July 2025. The sanction, confirmed by the ICC on 16 July, marks Brar's first disciplinary offence within a 24-month period.
What Brar Did
The incident took place during the eighth over of England's innings, when Brar picked up the ball while fielding and threw it towards the batter in what the ICC described as an inappropriate and dangerous manner. The act was flagged by on-field umpires Kumar Dharmasena and Mike Burns, third umpire Sam Nogajski, and fourth umpire Russell Warren.
The Charge and Sanction
Brar was found to have breached Article 2.9 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which specifically covers 'throwing a ball at or near a player in an inappropriate and/or dangerous manner during an international match.' He admitted the offence and accepted the sanction proposed by match referee Richie Richardson of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees, making a formal hearing unnecessary.
Level 1 breaches carry a minimum penalty of an official reprimand, a maximum penalty of 50 per cent of a player's match fee, and one or two demerit points.
What the Demerit Points Mean
Demerit points remain on a player's disciplinary record for 24 months from the date of imposition, after which they are expunged. Should a player accumulate four or more demerit points within any 24-month window, those points convert into suspension points and trigger a ban. Under ICC rules, two suspension points equate to a ban from one Test, two ODIs, or two T20Is — whichever format comes first.
Notably, this is Brar's first such offence, so the immediate impact on his availability is nil. However, any further breach within the same 24-month window could significantly alter that picture.
Series Context
The disciplinary action comes against the backdrop of a strong team performance: India won the first ODI by six wickets, taking a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. Brar himself contributed with two wickets in the match. The two sides are next scheduled to meet in the second ODI in Cardiff.
Point of View
But it puts him on notice at a critical phase of his international career. The ICC's Article 2.9 provisions exist precisely to protect on-field safety, and throwing a ball at a batter — however unintentional — is the kind of lapse that draws scrutiny in a high-profile bilateral series. More broadly, this is a reminder that India's fast-bowling depth, while a strength, brings with it younger players who are still calibrating conduct standards at the international level. One demerit point is manageable; a pattern would not be.
NationPress
16 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Gurnoor Brar do to receive a demerit point?
Brar threw a ball towards a batter in an inappropriate and dangerous manner while fielding during the eighth over of England's innings in the first ODI at Edgbaston on 14 July 2025. This was ruled a breach of Article 2.9 of the ICC Code of Conduct.
What is a Level 1 ICC Code of Conduct breach?
A Level 1 breach is the least severe category under the ICC Code of Conduct, carrying a minimum penalty of an official reprimand, a maximum of 50 per cent of a player's match fee, and one or two demerit points. It covers relatively minor on-field misconduct such as dangerous throwing.
How many demerit points does it take to get banned?
A player is banned once they accumulate four or more demerit points within any 24-month period. Those points convert into suspension points, with two suspension points equalling a ban from one Test, two ODIs, or two T20Is, whichever comes first.
Will Gurnoor Brar miss any matches due to this sanction?
No. Since this is Brar's first offence in a 24-month period and he received only one demerit point, he remains available for selection. The demerit point will stay on his record for 24 months before being expunged.
What is the current state of the India vs England ODI series?
India lead the three-match ODI series 1-0 after winning the first match at Edgbaston by six wickets. The second ODI is scheduled in Cardiff.
