Sunday’s double-header fixture between Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), which was played at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow, was a memorable one in many ways. While the game went in KKR’s way, who registered a Super Over win, they were also amidst news for a bizarre scene, which quickly became the talk of the town.
KKR batter Angkrish Raghuvanshi bore the brunt of a controversial decision from the third umpire when he was called out for Obstructing the field. Following the decision, while the batter walked off the field, he was seen venting his anger on the equipment and has thus been fined 20% of his match fee for the IPL Code of Conduct breach. Raghuvanshi was seen hammering the bat into the boundary rope on his way out before slamming his helmet on the ground as well.
Angkrish Raghuvanshi faces 20% fine
Raghuvanshi has been found to have breached Article 2.2, which relates to “abuse of cricket equipment or clothing, ground equipment or fixtures and fittings during a Match.” Moreover, he also accumulated one Demerit Point for breaching Level 1. As informed in the statement, the young batter has admitted to the offence and accepted the sanctions imposed.
Elaborating on the incident, it took place in 5th over of KKR innings. Following a mix-up with his on-field partner at the non-striker’s end, he turned back midway and was hit by the throw from Mohammed Shami on his pads. LSG skipper Rishabh Pant quickly appealed and went upstairs. After a detailed review got him out for obstructing the field, Raghuvanshi struck the boundary cushion with his bat in aggression and also threw his helmet in the dugout, venting out his frustration.
Notably, it was just the fourth instance of a batter being given out for obstructing the field in IPL with the last instance occurring in IPL 2024 when Ravindra Jadeja was given out for a similar reason.
