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Gujarat Titans' (GT) veteran pacer Ishant Sharma has been fined 25 per cent match fee and handed one demerit point for breaching the Indian Premier League (IPL) code of conduct during the clash against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) on April 6 Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad.
The incident was not specified in the media release. There was no need for a formal hearing as Ishant admitted to the Level 1 offence.
The Article 2.2 pertains to "Abuse of cricket equipment or clothing, ground equipment or fixtures and fittings". It includes "any action(s) outside the course of normal cricket actions, such as hitting or kicking the wickets and any action(s) which deliberately (i.e. intentionally), recklessly or negligently (in either case even if accidental) results in damage to the advertising boards, boundary fences, dressing room doors, mirrors, windows and other fixtures and fittings. For example, this offence may be committed, without limitation, when a Player swings his/her bat vigorously in frustration and causes damage to an advertising board."
Ishant against SRH and IPL 2025 so far
Ishant had a forgettable outing at his former franchise's homeground. He remained wicketless and conceded 53 runs from his quota of four overs while Mohammed Siraj took a four-wicket haul and Prasidh Krishna got two scalps. In the final over of SRH's innings, he conceded 17 runs as Pat Cummins hit him for a four and a six followed by a boundary off Mohammed Shami's bat. Despite Ishant's expensive returns, GT were able to restrict SRH for 152/8. The Shubman Gill-led side won the match by seven wickets with 20 balls to spare.
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The 36-year-old has not been in the best of forms this season. He conceded 17 runs from two overs against Mumbai Indians (MI). In the clash against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), he went for 27 runs in two overs and got the prized wicket of captain Rajat Patidar.
GT's next match and other bowling options
It will be interesting to see whether he plays in the clash against Rajasthan Royals (RR) at home on April 9. GT have an option to play Arshad Khan and use Washington Sundar's overs if he goes for plenty.
