The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 witnessed a major controversy on Sunday when Virat Kohli was out on the bowling of Harshit Rana. The star batsman’s reaction to the entire incident has left the cricket world divided. During the match between Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bangalore, Kohli hit a fulltoss straight to Harshit Rana, but the star batsman was convinced that it was a no-ball. He immediately went for a review but replays showed that the ball was diving and since Kohli was standing outside his crease, if he had stood in his normal batting position the ball would have dived below his waist.
Kohli was clearly upset as it was shown on the big screen that the third umpire had ruled against him but this led to a massive controversy.
Kohli was disappointed with the decision and instead of leaving the field, he attacked the on-field umpires and had a heated argument with them. RCB captain Faf du Plessis also joined the conversation but it was clear that Kohli presented his views aggressively to the officials.
The incident did not stop there as Kohli kept talking to himself on his way back to the dugout and just before entering the pavilion, he knocked over a dustbin by throwing his gloves.
Although the talk of getting out is in the headlines, Kohli’s reaction cannot be ignored. Over the years, Kohli’s aggression on the field has become a motivator for the team as well as a subject of intense debate among cricket fans. Although there is no question about his talent as a cricketer, this status does not justify his anger nor does it protect him from any punishment.
Kohli was fined 50 per cent of his match fee and the officials made it clear that in such cases, ‘the decision of the match referee is final and binding’ while taking any decision.
“Mr Virat Kohli, Batsman, Royal Challengers Bangalore fined 50 per cent of his match fee for breaching the IPL Code of Conduct during Match 36 of the Tata Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 against Kolkata Knight Riders at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata On April 21, 2024,” an IPL statement read.
“Kohli has committed a Level 1 offense under Article 2.8 of the IPL Code of Conduct. He has admitted the offense and accepted the sanction of the match referee,” the statement said.
In 2019, Chennai Super Kings veteran MS Dhoni was embroiled in controversy when he lost his cool and entered the field to clash words with the umpires over a no-ball decision. Dhoni was fined 50 percent of his match fee but not everyone was happy with the punishment.
K Hariharan, one of India’s most famous international umpires, said, “Obviously star players try to put pressure on the umpires but it is up to the umpires to bear the pressure. They will do what they feel but it depends on the personality of the umpire.” Does.” PTI.
Six years later, another ‘star player’ lost his temper during a difficult situation and ended the match by shouting at officials on the field. Although the punishment remains the same, it is disturbing that umpires are still facing such reactions from experienced international cricketers like Kohli.
As a result, the decision by IPL officials to punish a big-time player like Kohli is a strong reminder to all cricketers that fame will not serve as a shield against unacceptable behaviour.
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