Kings XI Punjab fast bowler Sandeep Sharma was on Monday fined 50 per cent of his match fee for showing dissent at an umpire’s decision during his team’s Indian Premier League (IPL) match against Gujarat Lions at I.S. Bindra Stadium here. In the fifth over of the Gujarat Lions innings on Sunday, Sandeep decided to switch to round-the-wicket but umpire Nand Kishore called a no-ball as he believed that the bowler did not inform him about the change.
Sharma admitted to the Level 1 offence 2.1.5 of the IPL Code of Conduct for Players and Team Officials and accepted the sanction, as such there was no need for a formal hearing. For Level 1 breaches of the IPL Code of Conduct, the Match Referee’s decision is final and binding.
Sandeep in anger snatched his cap from Umpire’s hands as the extra ball cost him a boundary, courtesy, Dwayne Smith. Sandeep was furious at him, as he believed that he had informed the Umpire about the change in the angle as he came round the wicket to Ishan Kishan.
Skipper Glenn Maxwell too came running from the boundary. Maxwell also got furious at the Umpire for his decision and left in an animated way. Even after the over he went up to both the Umpires and expressed his disappointment on the decision.
After posting 189/3, Punjab bowlers failed to step up to the occasion as Gujarat romped home by six wickets with two deliveries to spare. With this result, their chances of qualifying for the playoffs took a major hit.
