Virender Sehwag, who got a terrible lbw verdict from umpire Billy Bowden, is now in the dock for having expressed his displeasure in the crudest manner possible. And interestingly, ICC match referee Ranjan Madugalle could not announce his punishment (possibly a 65 per cent cut in match fees) because “there is no Board”!
Normally, the match referee informs the Board in question about the punishment. The BCCI officials have been barred from office for the moment, after Friday’s Madras High Court ruling quashing the elections. This is later, first the incident.
First, Sehwag almost brushed against the umpire while making his way towards the pavilion, then stopped for a few seconds and, if one can believe the images shown on the television, said a few words to umpire Bowden.
But whatever the provocation, cricket's code of conduct does not allow anyone to protest against an umpire's decision and in this case Sehwag did more than just protest. He did something not very desirable and it will be a surprise if Madugalle spares the rod.