Virat Kohli was involved in controversy during the crucial IPL 2024 match between Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). The former Indian captain’s frustration boiled over as a contentious decision cut short his innings, sparking a heated debate among fans and experts alike.

Kohli’s dismissal and his reaction

In the third over of RCB’s innings, Kohli faced a delivery from Harshit Rana, which appeared to be a waist-high full toss. Regarding the delivery, Kohli expressed his displeasure, believing it should have been called a no-ball. However, the on-field umpire’s decision stood, and Kohli, outfoxed by Rana, ended up giving a top edge to the bowler, resulting in his dismissal for 18 runs off seven balls.

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Despite opting for a review, Kohli’s fate remained unchanged as the third umpire upheld the on-field decision. The disappointment was palpable as Kohli vented his frustration, questioning the umpire’s call and igniting a fiery exchange of words on the field.

Official Statement

In the match’s aftermath, Kohli was fined 50% of his match fee for breaching the IPL’s Code of Conduct. In an official statement, the IPL confirmed Kohli’s violation of Article 2.8, a Level 1 offence, and emphasized the binding nature of the match referee’s decision.

“Mr Virat Kohli, Batter, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, has been fined 50 per cent of his match fees for breaching the IPL Code of Conduct during Match 36 of the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 against Kolkata Knight Riders at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata on April 21, 2024,” IPL said in a statement. As per the IPL statement, Kohli committed a Level 1 offence under Article 2.8 of the IPL’s Code of Conduct. The former RCB skipper admitted to the offence and accepted the match referee’s sanction. “For Level 1 breaches of the Code of Conduct, the Match Referee’s decision is final and binding,” the statement added.

Analysis of the Decision

The use of Hawk-Eye technology played a pivotal role in analyzing the trajectory of the delivery concerning Kohli’s stance. The TV umpire’s assessment revealed that the delivery would have passed below the batter’s waist had he remained within the popping crease, leading to Kohli’s dismissal.

Commenting on the incident, RCB skipper Faf du Plessis acknowledged the contentious nature of the decision, expressing his and Kohli’s belief that the ball was possibly higher than waist height.

Additionally, the IPL media advisory confirmed that RCB captain Du Plessis was fined for his team’s slow over-rate during the match against KKR, highlighting the importance of maintaining discipline on the field.