Mumbai: Mumbai Indians’ batter Tim David and Batting Coach Kieron Pollard have been fined for breaching the Tata Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 Code of Conduct during their team’s match against Punjab Kings at the PCA New International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur on April 18.
In an official release issued by the IPL on Saturday (April 20), it was stated, “David and Pollard committed a Level 1 offence under Article 2.20 of the IPL’s Code of Conduct. David and Pollard were each fined 20 percent of their respective match fees.”
Both David and Pollard admitted to the offence and accepted match referee Sanjay Verma’s sanction. “For Level 1 breaches of the Code of Conduct, the match referee’s decision is final and binding,” the release emphasized.
The controversy stemmed from a video that went viral during the match, allegedly showing squad members and support staff in MI’s dugout providing illegal assistance to Suryakumar Yadav in asking for a Decision Review System (DRS) referral. However, the specifics of the sanction were not outlined in the IPL’s media release.
The incident occurred during the 15th over of Mumbai Indians’ innings when Arshdeep Singh bowled a delivery close to the guideline for wides. Suryakumar attempted to chase the ball but missed, and the on-field umpire deemed it a legal delivery.
Head Coach Mark Boucher was seen gesturing to Suryakumar that it was a wide, and subsequently, David and Pollard were observed urging the right-hander to seek a review, contravening IPL rules in the process.