IPL 2019: MS Dhoni lucky to get away with just a small fine: Sanjay Manjrekar

Former India batsman Sanjay Manjrekar has criticised MS Dhoni for his behaviour during the game between Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals on Friday. The Super Kings skipper had left the entire cricketing world baffled by storming onto the pitch to confront the umpires after yet another gaffe from the officials. The incident occurred due to confusion over a no-ball in the last over of the tense encounter at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur.

Super Kings needed 8 from the final three balls while chasing 152. Ben Stokes had dismissed MS Dhoni on the third delivery and was now up against Mitchell Santner. The England all-rounder delivered a high full toss and the main umpire did not take long to take out his arm to signal a no-ball. However, square-leg umpire Bruce Oxenford quickly overturned it and called it a legal delivery, much to the anger of Dhoni.

The former India skipper, who is fondly called captain cool for his calm demeanour, walked out straight onto the pitch to have a word with both the umpires. Dhoni soon got involved in a heated argument with the match officials before walking off. The delivery stood as a legal one but Super Kings did not rue it as Santner hit a last-ball six to power the defending champions to a thrilling 4-wicket win.

The win, however, did not save Dhoni from criticism as several pundits, former players and fans took a shot at him. Sanjay Manjrekar also gave his views on the topic, saying that the Super Kings star ‘was clearly out of line’ for walking onto the field. Manjrekar also said that Dhoni was lucky to get away with just a small fine.

“Have always been a big Dhoni admirer, but he was clearly out of line walking out like that. Lucky to get away with just a small fine,” tweeted Sanjay Manjrekar.

Have always been a big Dhoni admirer, but he was clearly out of line walking out like that. Lucky to get away with just a small fine. #VIVOIPL

— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) April 12, 2019

Dhoni fined

Soon after the completion of the game, the IPL released a statement, saying that Dhoni has been docked 50% of his match fees. Dhoni admitted to the Level 2 offence under Article 2.20 of the IPL’s Code of Conduct and accepted the sanction.

“MS Dhoni, the Chennai Super Kings captain, was fined 50 per cent of his match fees for breaching the Indian Premier League’s Code of Conduct during his team’s match against Rajasthan Royals at Jaipur. Dhoni admitted to the Level 2 offence 2.20 of the IPL’s Code of Conduct and accepted the sanction,” said a media release from IPL.

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