London, India: India’s opening batter Pratika Rawal has been fined 10% of her match fee and received one demerit point for “avoidable physical contact” during India’s four-wicket victory over England in the first ODI on Tuesday.

The penalty stems from two separate incidents that occurred during India’s successful chase of 259. The first incident involved Rawal making contact with bowler Lauren Filer while running for a single in the 18th over. The second occurred in the very next over, after Rawal was bowled by Sophie Ecclestone for 36 off 51 balls; she made contact with Ecclestone on her way back to the pavilion.

Rawal pleaded guilty to the Level 1 breach of the ICC’s Code of Conduct, which covers “inappropriate and deliberate physical contact between players in the course of play.”

“It [the collision with Filer] was not intentional; I was just running in my way,” Rawal stated ahead of the second ODI at Lord’s. “And the shoulder barge thing was also not deliberate. I don’t think there is [need to have] any reaction to it or [make] any fuss about it.”

India’s Chase and England’s Slow Over-Rate

During her innings, Rawal contributed to India’s chase by forming partnerships of 48 runs with Smriti Mandhana for the first wicket and 46 runs with Harleen Deol for the second. This laid the foundation for the comfortable victory, which was ultimately sealed by a crucial 90-run stand between Jemimah Rodrigues (48) and the unbeaten Deepti Sharma (62*) for the fifth wicket.

Meanwhile, England was also penalized, receiving a fine of 5% of their match fee for a slow over-rate. They were found to be one over short of their target within the allotted time, despite India completing their chase with ten balls to spare.

The two teams are set to meet again for the second ODI at Lord’s on Saturday, followed by the final game of the tour, the third ODI in Chester-le-Street on Tuesday. India previously secured the T20I series with a 3-2 victory. Sources