South African speedster Kagiso Rabada was handed a one demerit point and a one-match ban for violating the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) code of conduct in the third Test match against England. According to the ICC, the bowler’s celebration after Joe Root’s wicket was inappropriate, due to which, he was handed the ban.
The internet was quite divided about the punishment and many legends of the game also noted that this was too harsh on Rabada.
The fast bowler has finally broken his silence on the matter and said that he was really surprised by the extreme punishment he got for his celebration. But later admitted that he cannot do mistakes like that again and again, letting down his team and himself down.
Rabada shared that he did not expect that the umpires would be so harsh on him and believes that it is not about being right or wrong because the reality is that he is banned from the most crucial match of the series.
“It was something I did not expect. Whether it was the right thing to ban me or the wrong thing, the reality is that I am banned,” Rabada said.
Feeling a bit guilty about his mistake, the world’s number four-Test bowler admitted that he cannot repeat his mistakes and embarrass his team in front of the whole world. However, he feels the ban will give him some time to work on his game.
“It cannot keep happening because I am letting the team down and I am letting myself down. That is why it hurts so much but it gives me a chance to work on my game and a chance to have a bit of a rest,” added Rabada.
After clenching his fists under the nose of England skipper, the umpires reported Rabada’s actions to the match referee. The referee handed him a demerit point and was fined 15% of his match fee.
This is Rabada’s fourth demerit point in a 24-month period, which meant he had to be given a one-match ban.
The fourth and last Test match will take place on January 24 in Johannesburg. England leads 2-1 in the series.
