Delhi Capitals (DC) speedster Munaf Patel was slapped with a hefty fine from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) after getting involved in a heated exchange with the fourth umpire during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 clash against Rajasthan Royals at Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi.
The clip of the incident went viral on the social sphere, where Munaf can be seen having a heated chat with the fourth umpire after he reportedly denied sending a player to enter the ground to convey his message. Here is the video.
Munaf Patel has been fined 25 per cent of his match fees and also accumulated One Demerit Point for breaching the IPL Code of Conduct. Munaf Patel admitted to the Level 1 offence under Article 2.20, which pertains to the conduct that is contrary to the spirit of the game, and accepted the Match Referee’s sanction. For Level 1 breaches of the Code of Conduct, the Match Referee’s decision is final and binding.
Examples of breaches under Article 2.20 include:
Using illegal equipment:
This could include bats or wicket-keeping gloves that don't meet ICC regulations.
Failing to comply with match regulations:
This could include failing to wear the correct gear or following specific rules outlined in the match conditions.
Other conduct detrimental to the spirit of the game:
This is a broad category that includes any behaviour deemed inappropriate, disrespectful, or unfair.
Level 1 breaches, such as those under Article 2.20, can result in penalties ranging from an official reprimand to a fine of up to 50% of a player's match fee, and one or two demerit points. The specific penalty will depend on the severity and context of the breach.
Coming back to the match, DC defeated RR in a super over thriller to seal their spot at the top of the IPL 2025 points table. Delhi Capitals will now face Gujarat Titans on April 19 at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.