Chennai Super Kings, under MS Dhoni, started their IPL 2021 campaign with a defeat over Delhi Capitals at Wankhede stadium, Mumbai. However, he has another reason to feel displeased as he was fined a hefty amount of 12 lakhs for his team due to a slow over-rate.
“As it was his team’s first offence of the season under the IPL’s Code of Conduct relating to minimum over-rate offences, Mr Dhoni was fined Rs 12 lakh,” an IPL media release stated.
Meanwhile, this was his first offence this season and if the offence is repeated again then he will be fined a sum of Rs 24 lakhs. However, for the third time, not only he will be fined Rs 30 lakhs, but also be banned for one IPL match as well.
“As a measure to control the match timings, the 20th over in each innings is now included in 90 minutes, earlier the 20th over was to start on or before the 90th minute. The minimum over rate to be achieved in IPL Matches shall be 14.11 overs per hour (ignoring the time taken by time-outs),” revealed a BCCI rule as quoted by Cricbuzz.
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CSK managed to put up 188 runs on board for 7 in their allotted 20 overs but failed to win after Shikhar Dhawan and Prithvi Shaw laid the winning foundation with their quick-fire knocks to help Delhi Capitals chase down the target for the loss of only three wickets in the penultimate over of the innings as well.
On the other hand, MS Dhoni, who scored a 2-ball duck, was unhappy as the dew made things easier for Delhi. Due to a 7.30 PM instead of 8 PM, he said that the team batting first has been facing drier conditions in the first 30 minutes. While CSK managed 33/2 in the powerplay, Delhi posted 65/0.
“You have to look ahead. Especially when you have dew in your mind and you are batting first, you want to get those extra 10-15 runs – that was normally in 8pm start games. [Now the] 7.30 start means the opposition will have at least half an hour when there will be very little amount of dew on the field, which means it will not come on as nicely as it will in the second innings. So you have to score those 15-20 extra runs to make it even, and after that also you have to get early wickets to make a big mark on the game,” MS Dhoni said at the post-match presentation.
CSK will take on Punjab Kings in their next game on Friday at the same venue.
