Mumbai Indians (MI) skipper Rohit Sharma has been fined Rs 12 lakh for maintaining slow over rate against Delhi Capitals (DC) at Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai on March 27. The Rs 12 lakh fine has been imposed as it was the five-time Indian Premier League (IPL) winners’ first offence of the season.
MI did not even bowl the full 20 overs. DC chased down the 178-run total in the penultimate over with 10 balls to spare. The match ended at 7:15 PM after the second match’s toss between Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) took place at DY Patil Sports Academy, Mumbai.
Rohit used five bowlers defending an above average total. Only Murugan Ashwin got through his overs quickly while fast bowlers Daniel Sams, Jasprit Bumrah, Basil Thampi and Tymal Mills took their time.
“I thought it was a good score. It didn't look like a pitch where you can get 170+ at the start but we played in the middle and finished well. Just didn't bowl according to our plans. Never been the talk (of badly wanting to win the first game). We always come prepared whether it's the first game or last game. We want to win every game. Things didn't go according to plan but that can happen. Just need to stay close as a group and take the learnings. Disappointed with the loss but not the end,” the 34-year-old said in the post-match presentation.
Earlier Rohit scored 41 runs from 32 deliveries including four fours and two sixes. He shared a 67-run opening partnership with wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan who went on to score unbeaten 81. Rohit was dismissed by Kuldeep Yadav. The chinaman bowler took three wickets for 18 runs and helped Capitals restrict MI for 177/5.
MI will face Rajasthan Royals in their next clash at DY Patil Sports Academy, Mumbai on April 2 (Saturday).
