Ace Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who is representing Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL), has been fined for violating the code of conduct of the cash-rich league during RR’s thrilling match against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in Chepauk on Wednesday.
Apparently, Ashwin has faced action for his comments on the umpires’ decision to change the ball during CSK’s tense chase of 175. He was fined 25 per cent of his match fee for breaching the Code of Conduct.
Following the game, the Tamil Nadu tweaker criticised the umpires’ decision, saying his side was not consulted before the ball was changed. He further called for standard rules in the post-match presser after the all-round show that won him the Player of the Match award.
“Rajasthan Royals’ Ravichandran Ashwin has been fined 25 Percent of his match fee for breaching the IPL Code of Conduct during Match 17 of the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 between Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai on April 12,” read the IPL media release.
“Ashwin admitted to the Level 1 Offence under Article 2.7 of the IPL’s Code of Conduct. For Level 1 breaches of the Code of Conduct, the Match Referee’s decision is final and binding,” the release added.
Notably, the Level 1 Offence under Article 2.7 of the IPL’s Code of Conduct relates to “Public criticism of, or inappropriate comment in relation to an incident occurring in a Match or any Player, Team Official, Match Official or Team participating in any Match, irrespective of when such criticism or inappropriate comment is made.”
Ashwin, who picked up a couple of wickets for 25 runs and smashed a 22-ball 30 with the bat, expressed shock over the umpire’s decision.
He said: “I’m quite surprised the umpires changed the ball for dew on their own. It’s never happened before, and I’m quite surprised. Some of the decisions in this year’s IPL on the field have left me a little flummoxed to be honest. I mean, (it) left me flummoxed in a good or a bad way. It’s because I think what you need is a little bit of balance.”
