Rohit fined for showing dissent towards umpire
The incident occurred in the final over of Mumbai's chase against Rising Pune Supergiant when Rohit disagreed with umpire S Ravi's decision to not call a slower delivery from Jaydev Unadkat wide
ESPNcricinfo staff
25-Apr-2017
Mumbai Indians captain Rohit Sharma has been fined 50% of his match fee for showing dissent at an umpire's decision during his side's three-run defeat to Rising Pune Supergiant at the Wankhede Stadium on Monday. Match referee Javagal Srinath found Rohit guilty of a Level 1 offence under article 2.1.5 of the Code of Conduct. Rohit admitted to the offence, his second of the season, at the end of the match.
The incident occurred during the final over of Mumbai's chase of 161. With 11 needed off four balls, Rohit shuffled across the stumps to Jaydev Unadkat, who pushed a slower delivery outside off stump. On seeing that the ball was well away from the guideline for wide deliveries, Rohit bailed out of the shot. However, umpire S Ravi did not call it a wide and a shocked Rohit gesticulated animatedly and remonstrated with him before the square-leg umpire, A Nand Kishore, intervened.
Article 2.1.5 deals with "(a) excessive, obvious disappointment with an umpire's decision; (b) an obvious delay in resuming play or leaving the wicket; (c) shaking the head; (d) pointing or looking at the edge of his bat when given out lbw; (e) pointing to the pad or rubbing the shoulder when caught behind; (f) snatching the cap from the Umpire; (g) requesting a referral to the TV Umpire and (h) arguing or entering into a prolonged discussion with the Umpire about his decision. It shall not be a defence to any charge brought under this Article to show that the Umpire might have, or in fact did, get any decision wrong".
Rising Pune Supergiant batsman Ajinkya Rahane and Mumbai bowler Harbhajan Singh had differing views on the legality of the delivery after the match but agreed that Rohit's reaction was not a serious transgression.
"Rohit's behaviour at that point was natural," Rahane said. "As a captain, as a player, when the game is so close, it comes automatically; nobody does it deliberately. I don't think there was anything wrong with his behaviour, but the umpire's call was right too, for us.
"It happens on the field and remains on the field. In this format, in close games, this will happen in the future as well. You should respect the umpire's decision as well as whatever Rohit did that was completely natural."