Picture Credit: BCCI/IPL
The Rajasthan Royals skipper Sanju Samson after a close 20-run defeat against the Delhi Capitals (DC) have been handed another blow by the IPL. The wicketkeeper-batter has been handed a fine of 30 per cent of his match fee for his heated on-field argument with the umpires following his controversial dismissal in match against DC on Tuesday, May 7 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.
It is to be noted that Sanju Samson’s wicket sparked controversy, including a widespread outrage on social media. In the 16th over of the RR inning, the keeper-batter was caught at the long-off region by Shai Hope, however the side angle revealed Hope’s feet touching the boundary line.
The IPL on Wednesday however sanctioned Samson with an IPL breach in a statement that read, “Mr Sanju Samson, Captain, Rajasthan Royals has been fined 30 per cent of his match fees for breaching the IPL Code of Conduct during Match 56 of the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 against Delhi Capitals at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi on May 07, 2024.”
As it was Samson’s first offence under IPL’s Article 2.8, he was just handed a 30 per cent of the match fee. “Samson committed a Level 1 offence under Article 2.8 of the IPL's Code of Conduct. He admitted to the offence and accepted the Match Referee’s sanction. For Level 1 breaches of the Code of Conduct, the Match Referee's decision is final and binding,” the statement further added.
Kumar Sangakkara breaks silence on Sanju Samson’s controversial dismissal
This controversial wicket turned out to be the talking point of the match, even Director of Cricket for RR, Kumar Sangakkara was also visibly left upset with the umpire’s decision. The former Sri Lanka cricketer then spoke about it at the post-match press conference, agreeing to stand by the decision of the umpires.
“It depends on replays and angles. Sometimes, you think the foot has touched. It was a difficult one for the third umpire to judge; the game was at a crucial stage, but it happened. We have different perspectives, but at the end of the day, you have to stand by the decision the third umpire has made, seen if we have a different opinion on it. Of course, we will share it with the umpires, but I thought, irrespective of that, we should’ve seen the game home. Delhi played well,” Sangakkara said.
“Just asking what the procedure was and whether there was any doubt. The on-field umpire will have to go by what the TV umpire says. Players have to abide by it, and there are means of conveying your opinion through direct conversation or the umpire's report. We follow protocol; there is a lot of pressure on players and umpires. We try to sort it in the best way we can,” he further added.
