Mumbai, Feb 7 (India Today) : In a shocking case of highhandedness and apathy, a match referee on the panel of Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has declared Indian pacer Praveen Kumar "mentally unfit" to play.

Kumar was reported for his offensive behaviour and violating the code of conduct by the umpires during a Corporate Trophy match between ONGC and Income Tax on February 4.

In his report to the board, match referee Dhananjay Singh made the shocking remark as he charged the bowler with level-2 and level-4 offences which suggest that he was reported for misbehaving with the umpires.

Singh said Kumar loses his cool at the slightest provocation and is abusive, not only towards the opposition but also his own team mates.

However, Kumar defended himself responding to a text message from Headlines Today, denying any wrongdoing and claiming that there was not much in the incident.

The cricketer's brother, Vinay, however hit back at the match referee and said that he had no business calling him mentally unfit if he is not a doctor.

In fact, the sentiment was echoed by many people in cricket fraternity who took umbrage to the match referee's choice of words. Many of them also claimed that comments like these could destroy the reputation of a cricketer forever.

Now it remains to be seen what action BCCI takes - whether it reprimands the referee for his comment or goes ahead with punishing the pacer on the basis of the report.