New Delhi: Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni has been fined 75% of his match fee for shoving Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahaman during the first ODI at the Shere Bangla Stadium, Mirpur. Dhoni was charged with Level 2 offence under ICC Code of Conduct.
The incident took place in the 25th over of the innings when it appeared as if Dhoni had deliberately shoved off the pacer while completing a run. The debutante went off the field for treatment, however returned to claim a five-wicket haul on his debut.
According to reliable sources, a collective decision was taken by the team management that the skipper would not plead guilty in this case as he never tried to hurt the bowler intentionally. Accordingly the administrative manager filled the form where India decided to contest the charge.
In the morning at the team hotel today, on field umpires Rod Tucker and Enamul Haque Moni were called by Pycroft after which the trio of Dhoni, Dey and Team India Director Ravi Shastri were summoned.
Interestingly, Mustafizur had told Bengali daily Prathom Aalo that “I made a mistake coming in the way”. Mustafizur had earlier repeated the offence when Rohit Sharma was batting and hence was docked 50 per cent of his match fees.
Reacting about the incident, Dhoni said: “The bowler (Mustafizur) thought I would move away while I thought he would. But as none of us did, we collided. I think this can happen in any match. It’s nothing big. I spoke to him later,” said the Indian captain with a smile during the post-match press-conference last night.
Mashrafe also did not want to drag the issue. Things like this can happen on the field during a match. We all shake hands at the end of the day and such situations can be discussed with the on-field umpires. It’s nothing serious,” he said.
Dhoni has recently been reprimanded in IPL for criticising umpire’s decision. India lost the first ODI by 79 runs as Bangladesh took a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
Bureau Report
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