Kolkata, April 3 – Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) all-rounder Abhishek Sharma received a 25% fine and a demerit point after violating the IPL Code of Conduct during the match against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).
The match referee ruled that Abhishek violated Article 2.3 of the IPL Code of Conduct, which covers "the use of words commonly known and understood to be offensive, obscene, or profane (in any language) and which can be heard by spectators and/or the viewing public, whether through stump microphones or otherwise. This includes, for example, swearing out of frustration due to one's own performance or luck."
"Abhishek Sharma, All-rounder, Sunrisers Hyderabad, has been fined 25% of his match fees and has also accumulated one demerit point for violating the IPL Code of Conduct during his team's match against Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, on Thursday," IPL stated in a press release.
Abhishek has accepted the punishment from IPL. "He admitted to the Level 1 offense under Article 2.3 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," the IPL statement read.
Abhishek played a brilliant innings, scoring 48 runs off 21 balls, with four sixes and as many boundaries. In doing so, he became the first Indian to hit 100 sixes in the IPL for Sunrisers Hyderabad.
SRH produced a complete performance to secure a resounding 65-run victory over KKR at Eden Gardens.
SRH scored 226/8 before their disciplined bowling attack restricted KKR to 161. Notably, this comprehensive victory makes Sunrisers Hyderabad the first team this season to successfully defend a total, breaking the early tournament trend of chasing teams dominating the results.
