On-field brawl puts Praveen Kumar in hot water

Bhilai:  India swing bowler Praveen Kumar landed in hot waters while representing ONGC in the BCCI's Corporate Trophy tournament being held in Bhilai. While bowling against Income Tax on February 4, Praveen (26), according to match officials, brutally abused an opposition batsman in Hindi during the 49th over of the innings. When the umpire admonished him, he repeated the abuse.

Praveen has been charged of "abusing, seriously showing offensive and insulting gestures against Income Tax batsman Ajit Argal in over No 48.1," by the match referee Dhananjay Kumar Singh.

The fast bowler, who last played for India during the Asia Cup in March 2012, has been out of international action due to a chest injury. He was India’s best bowler on the 2011 tour to England where Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s team were whitewashed 0-4.

Praveen has a history of temperamental behaviour and has played only one Ranji Trophy game for Uttar Pradesh this season.

According to the match referee's report, Praveen accepted the charges, hence there was no hearing. The matter has been referred to the BCCI for action. In a covering letter to the Board, Dhananjay K Singh said: "Mr Praveen Kumar is not in a mental frame to play the game. He is very aggressive and gets hostile with little trigger.

"He is very abusive and passes filthy comments to his own teammates, opponents and even to spectators. Even his team members are keeping a distance from him."