Mumbai Indians (MI) batter Tim David and coach Kieron Pollard were fined 20 per cent of their respective match fee for breaching the Indian Premier League Code of Conduct during the game against Punjab Kings (PBKS) on Thursday. The duo were penalised after it was found that they helped Suryakumar Yadav to make a DRS call.
In the 15th over of Mumbai Indians innings, an Arshdeep Singh delivery went full and way outside off-stump, very close to the line. Suryakumar, who was batting on 67 off 47 deliveries, tried chasing it but the onfield umpire deemed it a legal delivery. But TV cameras showed MI head coach Mark Boucher gesturing to Suryakumar that it was a wide, following which David and Pollard were seen urging the right-hander to take a review, which is illegal as per rules.
"David and Pollard committed a Level 1 offence under Article 2.20 of the IPL's Code of Conduct. David and Pollard were each fined 20 per cent of their respective match fees... Both 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," an IPL release said on Saturday.
The fine was imposed after a viral video of the incident sparked controversy online. Mumbai Indians went on to win the game by nine runs and currently stand seventh in the table with six points from seven games.
According to Appendix 1 of the ICC Playing Handbook, “If the umpires believe that the captain or batsman has received direct or indirect input emanating other than from the players on the field, then they may at their discretion decline the request for a Player Review. In particular, signals from the dressing room must not be given.”
"The captain may consult with the bowler and other fielders, and the two batsmen may consult with each other prior to deciding whether to request a Player Review. Under no circumstances is any player permitted to query an umpire about any aspect of a decision before deciding on whether or not to request a Player Review. If the on-field umpires believe that the captain or either batsman has received direct or indirect input emanating other than from the players on the field, then they may at their discretion decline the request for a Player Review. In particular, signals from the dressing room must not be given," Appendix D of the ICC Playing Handbook states.
