IPL 2024: Sanju Samson FINED 30 per cent of match fees for argument with umpires during DC-RR clash

Rajasthan Royals (RR) rode on skipper Sanju Samson's majestic 46-ball 86 but ended up managing only 201 for 8 in response to Rishabh Pant-led Delhi Capitals' (DC) 221 for 8 in match 56 of IPL 2024 on Tuesday (May 7), at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi. During the run-chase, RR were on course for a win till Samson's stay. However, the keeper-batter fell for a well-made 86 in the 16th over, bowled by Mukesh Kumar. It was a length ball as Samson tried to clear the ropes towards long-on but foundfielder Shai Hope in the deep.

Hope did well to complete the catch but it seemed he had touched the ropes at some point. As a result, the on-field umpires took the decision upstairs where third umpire Michael Gough adjudged it out after only one angle of the replay was checked. This led to a long debate between Samson and the umpires as the RR captain made his displeasure known before making the long walk back to the pavilion. For his argument with the umpires, Samson was fined 30 per cent of his match fees by the BCCI.

The BCCI statement read, "Mr Sanju Samson, Captain, Rajasthan Royals has been fined 30 per cent of his match fees for breaching the IPL Code of Conduct during Match 56 of the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 against Delhi Capitals at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi on May 07, 2024. Samson committed a Level 1 offence under Article 2.8 of the IPL's Code of Conduct. He admitted to the offence 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."

At the post-match press conference, RR director of cricket and head coach Kumar Sangakkara opined on Samson's dismissal. He said, "Depends on replays and angles. It was a difficult one for the third umpire to judge. The game was at a crucial stage, so it happens in cricket. Different perspectives. Even if we have any other opinion, we will share it with the umpires and sort it out. I thought irrespective of that dismissal, RR still should have seen the game home."

Talking about the DC-RR game, Delhi rode on Jake Fraser-McGurk's 50, Abhishek Porel's 65 and Tristan Stubbs' 20-ball 41 to post 221/8. In reply, RR lost the plot after losing Samson (86) as they ended up losing by 20 runs. This became their second successive loss but they remain atop the points table, with 16 points, whereas DC now have 12 points and have moved to fifth place. They remain alive in the playoffs race.