After being hit with a sanction by the ICC, India batter Pratika Rawal said that her shoulder contact with England players with England’s Lauren Filer and Sophie Ecclestone was unintentional. Rawal was sanctioned by the ICC and was given a 10 percent match fee fine and one demerit point for her altercation with Filer and Ecclestone in the 18th and 19th overs.

England were also fined five percent of their match fees for a slow over-rate in the first ODI, which India ended up winning. Both Rawal and Nat Sciver-Brunt decided to not contest the decision and accepted the sanctions. Speaking to the media ahead of the second ODI, Rawal said that she was just running and the shoulder barge wasn’t deliberate in any sense. The Indian batter also said that there was no need to make a fuss out of the situation.

“It was not intentional. I was just running in my way and that shoulder barge thing was completely out of… It was not deliberate in that sense,” Rawal told the media, as quoted by PTI.

“I don’t think there is a (need to have a) reaction to it or maybe (make) a fuss out of it. It was not intentional.”

‘Taking it one game at a time’

After winning the T20I series 3-2, India stand a chance of completing the double over England with one win in the remaining two matches of the series. Rawal said that the team is taking things one game at a time, despite admitting that winning the series 3-0 would be great.

“We are taking just one game at a time. Currently, our prime focus is to win this series. To win the next match, we are already up in the series. Our prime focus is to win this series with 3-0, that will be great,” said Rawal.

“Also, what I feel like, keeping one thing at a time, it helps with better focus and better concentration so we are just on that note.”

England and India will face off in the second women’s ODI on Saturday, July 19 at Lord’s.

– Ends

Tune In