Kings XI Punjab pacer Sandeep Sharma fined for showing dissent in IPL 2017 clash

Kings XI Punjab pacer Sandeep Sharma has been fined 50 percent of his match fee for showing dissent at an umpire’s decision during the IPL 2017 clash against Gujarat Lions in Mohali on Sunday. Kings XI Punjab lost the match by six wickets as their chances of qualifying for the play-offs took a major hit. (IPL 2017 Full Coverage)

Sandeep was found guilty of article 2.1.5 of the IPL Code of Conduct for players. The article, in sub-section h, states “arguing or entering into a prolonged discussion with the umpire about his decision. It shall not be a defence to any charge brought under this article to show that the umpire might have, or in fact did, get any decision wrong”.

The incident took place in the fifth over of the Gujarat Lions innings with Sandeep bowling his third over. The bowler decided to switch to round the wicket and Dwayne Smith, the Gujarat Lions opener, chose to stand wider of the crease. Umpire A Nand Kishore called a no-ball as he believed that the bowler did not inform him of the change.

This led to a heated confrontation between Sandeep and the umpire, with skipper Glenn Maxwell also jumping in and expressing his displeasure.

In a statement released by the IPL, Sandeep admitted to a level one offence and accepted the sanction. According to the IPL Code of Conduct for players and team officials, for level one breaches, the match officials decision is final and binding.

The 23-year-old Sandeep is the leading wicket-taker for Kings XI Punjab in IPL 2017, taking 16 wickets in 10 games, with a best of 4/20. Kings XI Punjab’s next encounter will be against Kolkata Knight Riders on May 9.