MS Dhoni has been fined Rs 12 lakh for a slow over-rate after the 3-time champions CSK lost their season-opener to IPL 2020’s runners-up Delhi Capitals on Saturday. Chennai Super Kings could not have asked for a poorer start to their Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 campaign.
It was not the ideal start for MS Dhoni and Chennai Super Kings to the 14th season as the skipper was fined Rs 12 lakh for maintaining a slow over-rate in their 7-wicket defeat to Delhi Capitals on Saturday in Mumbai.
Chennai Super Kings’ Skipper MS Dhoni Fined Rs. 12 Lakh For Slow Over Rate Offense In Their Loss To Delhi
MS Dhoni was handed the fine by the IPL after CSK failed to complete their quota of overs in the stipulated time, according to the new IPL 2021 Code of Conduct. However, it was their first offense of the season and thus the former India captain was let go with just a fine.
“As it was his team’s first offense of the season under the IPL’s Code of Conduct relating to minimum over-rate offenses, Mr. Dhoni was fined Rs 12 lakh,” a statement from the IPL read.
The IPL organizers took note of matches slipping beyond the scheduled finish time in the last few seasons and ensured they came up with strict regulations when it came to over-rates.
According to the IPL 2021 Code of Conduct, the minimum over-rate in the 14th season should be 14.1 overs per hour, ignoring the time taken for strategic time-outs. In uninterrupted matches, the BCCI wants teams to finish bowling their quota of 20 overs within 90 minutes.
In fact, CSK bowled only 18.4 overs in their IPL 2021 opener as Delhi Capitals gunned down a 189-run target with 8 balls to spare. CSK’s bowling unit failed to fire as Shikhar Dhawan and Prithvi Shaw came up with a T20 batting masterclass, stitching a 138-run opening stand in just 13.3 overs. Shikhar Dhawan came up with a masterful knock of 85 from just 54 balls while Prithvi Shaw smashed 72 from just 38 balls.
MS Dhoni Admits Bowling Was Tough Due To Dew
Barring Dwayne Bravo, none of the other CSK bowlers managed to concede runs at less than 7 per over. MS Dhoni said CSK bowlers struggled with the dew that was on offer at the Wankhede Stadium in the late evening. MS Dhoni pointed out the role of the dew and said teams batting first in Mumbai this season might want to score nothing less than 200.
“The opposition has half an hour in a 7:30 start when the pitch is really tacky and the ball stops a bit, so we need to get 15-20 runs extra to be safe. If we get dew consistently, then 200 will be a must on a pitch like this,” Dhoni said.
CSK had given a tricky target of 189 to chase but Delhi’s batsmen were up to it as the openers Shikhar Dhawan and Prithvi Shaw laid the solid foundation with a 138 run opening stand-in only 13.3 overs. CSK’s total was mainly due to the contributions of comeback man Suresh Raina’s 54, Moeen Ali’s 36, and Sam Curran’s 34.
CSK was in a stage of bother as they were reduced to 7/2 but comeback man Suresh Raina scored 54 and Moeen Ali scored 36 before Sam Curran’s explosive 34 ensured CSK finish at 188/7. CSK will face Punjab Kings on April 16 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai in their second match. They may bring in the likes of Imran Tahir, Mitchell Santner, Lungi Ngidi, Robin Uthappa, and Krishnappa Gowtham for the next game.
Chennai Super Kings: Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ambati Rayudu, Faf du Plessis, Suresh Raina, MS Dhoni (w/c), Moeen Ali, Ravindra Jadeja, Sam Curran, Dwayne Bravo, Shardul Thakur, Deepak Chahar
Delhi Capitals: Shikhar Dhawan, Prithvi Shaw, Ajinkya Rahane, Rishabh Pant (w/c), Marcus Stoinis, Shimron Hetmyer, Chris Woakes, Ravichandran Ashwin, Tom Curran, Amit Mishra, Avesh Khan