Gujarat Titans (GT) and Australia wicketkeeper-batter Matthew Wade was reprimanded for breaching the Indian Premier League (IPL) code of conduct during their game against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Thursday. GT went on to lose the game by eight wickets.
The news comes after videos emerged of the 34-year-old throwing his helmet and smashing his bat in the dressing room after a controversial dismissal against RCB. It was an LBW decision that was adjudged out, in what was a controversial call and attracted empathy from Virat Kohli.
"Mr Wade admitted to the Level 1 offence under Article 2.5 of the IPL Code of Conduct and accepted the sanction," the IPL said in a statement.
"For Level 1 breaches of the Code of Conduct, the match referee’s decision is final and binding," it added.
Wade was sure that he had under-edged a sweep shot off Glenn Maxwell and took no time in reviewing the on-field decision, which was out. However, despite a clear deviation in the ball's trajectory before it thudded onto the pads, the UltraEdge did not detect the apparent nick and the TV umpire stayed with the on-field umpire's call.
The Australian displayed his anger after returning to the dressing room, and on his way to the dugout as well.
Prior to his wicket, Wade had hit two fours and a six, finishing his innings with 16 runs in 12 balls. The incident took place in the final over of the powerplay while attempting a sweep off fellow countryman Maxwell's bowling. Wade missed the line of the ball, which went on to hit his backfoot. Although the ball seemed to deflect off his glove, the ultra edge showed no such change on the technological device and the Australian veteran was adjudged LBW.
Wade has not had the best IPL 2022 season. The 34-year-old has scored only 116 runs in eight innings in the ongoing IPL 2022 season so far. After opening the first few games for the current table-toppers with youngster Shubman Gill, he was dropped because of a dip in his form and replaced with Wriddhiman Saha, who has made the spot his own. When Wade was brought back to the side, he batted at no.3.
The Australian still has a chance to prove himself as an important member of the team with GT entering the playoffs as title contenders.
