Mumbai : Abhishek Sharma, opener for Sunrisers Hyderabad, has been fined 25% of his match fee for breaching the IPL Code of Conduct during a match against Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens on Thursday. He has also been handed one demerit point.
According to an official IPL statement, Sharma admitted to the Level 1 offence and accepted the sanction imposed by the match referee, making the decision final and binding.
He was found guilty of violating Article 2.3 of the IPL Code of Conduct, which typically relates to inappropriate behavior or gestures that go against the spirit of the game.
While the exact incident has not been officially detailed, reports suggest Sharma showed dissent after being given out on a catch decision. The incident occurred in the 8.4 over when he attempted a pull shot off a slower delivery. The ball was caught near the boundary by Varun Chakaravarthy after a diving effort.
Although replays appeared inconclusive, the third umpire upheld the decision after reviewing multiple angles. Sharma, visibly unhappy, walked off the field in frustration. He fell just short of a half-century, scoring 48 runs off 21 balls.
Under IPL rules, Level 1 offences do not allow for appeals, and the match referee’s decision stands as final. With one demerit point now added to his record, Sharma risks suspension if he accumulates four or more points within a specific period.