Head-butt controversy: Umpires say Praveen mentally unfit to play

Praveen Kumar’s behaviour justs keep getting worse. In 2008, he allegedly thrashed a doctor in Meerut. In 2011 during the West Indies, he was involved in a fracas with a spectator and did the same during the England tour during a tour game against Northants. But now, he seems to have completely lost it. According to a report in the Daily News and Analysis today, the bowler head-butted Ajitesh Argal in a Corporate Trophy match between ONGC and Income Tax. He has been charged by umpires Ajit S Datar and Kamlesh Sharma with ‘Code of Conduct’ violation under clause 2.2.8. The umpires letter to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the match referee said that an annoyed Praveen Kumar (who plays for ONGC) had used abusive language towards the batsman — asking him to simply bat and not try and be the umpire. [caption id=“attachment_616900” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Kumar has a history of such controversies, which include instances while on tour with India to West Indies and England. Reuters[/caption] It also mentions that Kumar ‘head-butted and chest-butted’ the striker. But the most glaring remark comes in the letter to KVP Rao, who is the BCCI’s game development manager. It says that Kumar “is not in a mental frame to play the game.” But it doesn’t end there. The letter goes on to say that Praveen is constantly abusing on the pitch — be it towards his own teammates, opponents or spectators. Read the full story here.