IPL 2021: CSK captain MS Dhoni fined for slow over-rate offence versus DC
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) skipper MS Dhoni became the first captain in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 to be fined for a slow over-rate offence this Saturday (April 11).
Dhoni was handed a fine for not being able to finish CSK’s quota of 20 overs against Delhi Capitals (DC) in the stipulated time limit for the IPL 2021.
“As it was his team’s first offence of the season under the IPL’s Code of Conduct relating to minimum over-rate offences, Mr Dhoni was fined Rs 12 lakh,” said an IPL media release on CSK captain.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had earlier rejigged the over-rate regulation for IPL cricket, putting in place a 90-minute restriction on teams to finish their 20 overs with the ball.
Earlier, teams could start the 20th over as late as the 90th minute of an innings. But the BCCI mandated them to complete the 20th over by the 90th minute for IPL 2021.
“As a measure to control the match timings, the 20th over in each innings is now included in 90 minutes, earlier the 20th over was to start on or before the 90th minute,” read a mail sent to all IPL teams by the BCCI, the details of which were reported by Cricbuzz.
“The minimum over rate to be achieved in IPL Matches shall be 14.11 overs per hour (ignoring the time taken by time-outs),” the board stated clearly. “In uninterrupted matches, this means that the 20th over should finish within 90 minutes (being 85 minutes of playing time plus 5 minutes of time-out) of the start of the innings.”
CSK captain MS Dhoni fined for slow over-rate offence versus DC in IPL 2021
The BCCI came down heavily on teams notorious for delaying the completion of their 20 overs in the IPL, where already two strategic time-outs per innings extend the fixtures. In order to make sure the rule is implemented perfectly, the board entrusted the designated fourth umpire for the role.
CSK bore the brunt of the new rule for over-rate, with Dhoni handed a hefty fine of INR 12 lakhs. The fine from the over-rate offence wasn’t the only pinch the great Dhoni felt on the night, as his team suffered a disappointing loss at the hands of Delhi Capitals (DC) at the start of their IPL 2021 campaign.
CSK posted a total of 188/7 in their allotted 20 overs after losing the toss and being asked to bat first on a flat Wankhede track in Mumbai. However, the three-time champions still tasted defeat as DC ramped home to the 189-run target with more than an over to spare and seven wickets intact.
Dhoni’s Chennai Super Kings (CSK) will have the chance to bounce back when they next face Punjab Kings (PBKS) on Friday (April 16) in Mumbai.