Jayden Seales Fined 25% Match Fee by ICC for Throwing Ball at Yashasvi Jaiswal in Delhi Test

West Indies fast bowler Jayden Seales has been sanctioned by the International Cricket Council for dangerous conduct during the second Test against India at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi. The 24-year-old pacer was fined 25 percent of his match fee and handed one demerit point after throwing the ball at Indian opener Yashasvi Jaiswal during the opening day's play on October 10, 2025.

The Incident That Triggered Punishment

The controversial incident occurred in the 29th over of India's first innings when Seales fielded the ball on his follow-through and threw it directly at Jaiswal, striking the left-hander on his pads. While Seales appeared to appeal for a run-out, match officials determined his actions crossed the line of acceptable on-field conduct.

The ICC's official statement confirmed the breach:

"Seales was found to have breached Article 2.9 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to 'throwing a ball (or any other item of cricket equipment) at or near a player in an inappropriate and/or dangerous manner during an International Match.'"

Seales Contests the Charge

Unlike many Code of Conduct violations where players accept the sanction, Seales contested the charge proposed by match referee Andy Pycroft, necessitating a formal hearing. The West Indies pacer argued that he was attempting a legitimate run-out and had no malicious intent.

However, after reviewing multiple camera angles showing the incident from different perspectives, Pycroft rejected Seales' defense:

"Seales contested that he was attempting a run out. But the Match Referee, who referred to replay clips showing the incident from different angles, concluded that the throw was unnecessary and inappropriate, hitting the batter on the pads when he was within the crease."

The key factor in Pycroft's decision was that Jaiswal was clearly inside his crease when the ball struck him, making any throw unnecessary. The footage showed Seales had no genuine run-out opportunity, rendering his throw both inappropriate and potentially dangerous.

The Demerit Point System Explained

Beyond the immediate financial penalty, the demerit point carries significant long-term consequences for Seales. This sanction brings his total to two demerit points within a 24-month period—his first came during a Test match against Bangladesh in December 2024.

Under ICC regulations, if a player accumulates four demerit points within 24 months, they face an automatic suspension of one Test match or two limited-overs internationals. Seales is now halfway to that threshold, meaning any further Code of Conduct violations in the next year could result in a match ban.

The ICC's penalty structure for Level 1 breaches includes:

• Minimum penalty: Official reprimand

• Maximum penalty: 50% of match fee

• Demerit points: One or two points

The Umpiring Panel's Decision

The charge against Seales was leveled by a panel of experienced match officials:

• On-field umpires: Richard Illingworth and Paul Reiffel

• Third umpire: Alex Wharf

• Fourth umpire: K.N. Ananthapadmanabhan

All four officials agreed that Seales' actions warranted disciplinary action, presenting a united front that strengthened the case during the formal hearing.

Jaiswal's Unaffected Performance

Ironically, the incident did nothing to derail Jaiswal's magnificent innings. The 23-year-old left-hander continued his dominant form, eventually scoring 175 off 258 balls with 22 boundaries before being run out on Day 2 due to a miscommunication with captain Shubman Gill.

This followed his unbeaten 173 in the first Test at Ahmedabad, cementing his status as one of Test cricket's most exciting young talents. The throw incident, while unfortunate, was quickly forgotten amid Jaiswal's batting brilliance.

West Indies' Struggling Tour

The sanction comes during a difficult tour for West Indies, who trail 1-0 in the two-match series after suffering an innings-and-140-run defeat in Ahmedabad. Seales himself has struggled with the ball, failing to take a wicket in India's massive first-innings total of 518/5 declared in the Delhi Test.

After being forced to follow on following their first-innings dismissal for 248, West Indies ended Day 3 on a more positive note with half-centuries from Shai Hope and John Campbell—the first session they had won in the entire series.

Repeat Offender Concerns

This is Seales' second Code of Conduct violation within ten months, raising questions about his on-field temperament. While the first offense against Bangladesh wasn't detailed in ICC records, the pattern suggests the young pacer needs to exercise better judgment under pressure.

At 24, Seales remains in the early stages of his international career with 31 Test matches and 111 wickets to his name. Continued disciplinary issues could derail his progress and damage his reputation as a professional cricketer.

What This Means Going Forward

The 25% match fee fine represents a significant financial penalty, though the exact amount wasn't disclosed as match fees are confidential. More importantly, the demerit point creates a precarious situation where one more Level 2 breach (which carries two demerit points) or two Level 1 breaches within the next 14 months would trigger an automatic suspension.

For a player fighting to establish himself in West Indies' pace attack amid fierce competition from younger talents, a match ban could prove costly both financially and career-wise.

Conclusion

Jayden Seales' punishment serves as a reminder that the ICC takes player safety and on-field conduct seriously, regardless of intent. While his claim of attempting a run-out may have been genuine, the match referee's duty is to assess whether actions were necessary and appropriate—standards Seales' throw failed to meet.

The incident, coming amid West Indies' comprehensive defeat, adds another layer of disappointment to a forgettable tour. As the series concludes with India poised for a clean sweep, Seales will need to channel his frustrations more constructively and avoid further disciplinary issues that could jeopardize his international career.