Jasprit Bumrah’s sarcastic plane-crash celebration after getting the wicket of Haris Rauf in the 2025 Asia Cup final might have earned him plaudits from fans in India, but the fast bowler has also risked punishment from the International Cricket Council (ICC).
On the fifth ball of the 18th over in the first innings, he nailed a perfect yorker against Rauf. The Pakistani tail-ender couldn’t get his bat down in time and saw his stumps uprooted. Bumrah followed it up with a gesture, making his hands dip from up to down.
The incident stems from Pakistan’s unsubstantiated claim that it had shot down Indian fighter jets during a four-day border clash in May. Pacer Haris Rauf began using the gesture during last Sunday’s Super Four match, seemingly mocking
Indian supporters in the stands.
The BCCI formally approached the ICC to file a complaint against the pacer. Reports suggest that Rauf denied wrongdoing, arguing that the gesture was not aimed at India. However, the ICC found him guilty of ‘aggressive behavior’ and penalized him with a 30% deduction from his match fee.
The law that was used against Rauf is unclear because the ICC’s official statement is expected to come on Monday. Further, the laws about such gestures on the boundary line are unclear, too.
But there’s a clear law against wicket celebrations with the potential to provoke the opposition batter. It is all covered under Article 2.5, which relates to: “Using language, actions or gestures which disparage or which could provoke an aggressive reaction from a batter upon his/her dismissal during an International Match.”
It states: “Article 2.5 includes any language, action or gesture used by a Player and directed towards a batter upon his/her dismissal which has the potential to provoke an aggressive reaction from the dismissed batter, whether or not any reaction results, or which could be considered to disparage or demean the dismissed batter, regardless of whether the batter him/herself feels disparaged or demeaned (in other words, a ‘send-off’). Without limitation, Article 2.5 includes: (a) excessive celebration directed at and in close proximity to the dismissed batter; (b) verbally abusing the dismissed batter; and (c) pointing or gesturing towards the pavilion.”
Under it, he can be charged with a level one offense, which can lead to a fine up to 50% of the match fees and a demerit point.
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