Eoin Morgan led Kolkata Knight Riders have been fined after they maintained a slow over-rate while playing against Mumbai Indians at the Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi on Thursday during the second phase of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021.
A statement by the IPL read, “As it was the team’s second offence of the season under the IPL’s Code of Conduct relating to minimum over rate offences, Kolkata Knight Riders captain Eoin Morgan was fined Rs 24 lakhs.”
Notably, the rest of the players of the playing XI have each been fined lesser than either Rs 6 lakhs or 25 per cent of their individual match fee as well. During the match, Rahul Tripathi and Venkatesh Iyer smashed quickfire half-centuries to guide KKR to a convincing seven-wicket victory over defending champions Mumbai Indians as well.
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While chasing 156, KKR got off to a solid start where the batting effort from Tripathi (74 not out off 42 balls) and Iyer (53 off 30 balls) stitched 88 runs for the second wicket to take the team home in 15.1 overs. Mumbai Indians speedster Jasprit Bumrah has claimed all three wickets, conceding 43 runs from his four overs as well.
Meanwhile, a few days ago, Rajasthan Royals captain Sanju Samson was also fined after his side has maintained a slow over rate during the game against Punjab Kings at the Dubai International Stadium. According to an IPL official statement, “It was his team’s first offence of the season under the IPL’s Code of Conduct relating to minimum over rate offences, Samson was fined Rs 12 lakh.”
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Eoin Morgan, the winning captain said: “Well it’s been a long time coming. Since Baz (McCullum) has taken over last year, the way we have played in the last two games is the way our coach wants us to play. It suits our talent to play this way. To hold such a strong Mumbai Indians side to 155 and chase this down gives us confidence. Fitting Venkatesh Iyer into our XI has been difficult with a lot of talented guys, and it’s fanastic the way he’s scored his runs. In the practice games too he has gone on to play this way. Sunil and Chakravarthy are two formidable bowlers. Sunil has been integral to KKR winning when they’ve done. Varun is the fresh guy. The first two games in this phase has been the template for us to play. There’s only one way for us to go in the points table and that is upwards.”
