Pant suspended for Delhi’s IPL match against Bengaluru

Delhi Capitals suffered a major blow ahead of their must-win IPL 2024 match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru as BCCI suspended their captain Rishabh Pant for one match.

The DC captain was also fined ₹30,000. He bore the brunt of maintaining a slow over rate for the third time this season, which falls under the violation of the IPL code of conduct. The third violation occurred in DC’s last match against RR in Delhi.

“Delhi Capitals captain Rishabh Pant has been fined and suspended for one match for violating the IPL Code of Conduct after his team posted a slow over rate in the 56th match of the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 against Rajasthan. “Royals at Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi on May 7, 2024,” BCCI said.

As per the IPL playing conditions, the captain will be punished with a fine of ₹ 12 lakh for the first excessive offense, a fine of ₹ 24 lakh for the second while the third excessive offense may result in a player being suspended from the game and a fine of ₹30 lakh for the captain.

The rest of the DC players who took part in that match against RR, including the Impact player, were fined ₹12 lakh or 50% of their match fees, whichever is less.

“As it was his team’s third offense of the season under the IPL Code of Conduct regarding minimum overage violations, Rishabh Pant was fined INR 30 Lac and suspended for one match. The remaining members of the playing eleven, including the impact players, have each been individually fined either INR 12 Lac or 50 percent of their respective match fees, whichever is less,” the statement added.

DC appealed the match referee’s decision. The appeal was then referred to the BCCI Ombudsman, who conducted a virtual hearing and decided to rule against DC and Pant.

“In accordance with Article 8 of the IPL Code of Conduct, Delhi Capitals have appealed against the decision of the match referee. The appeal was then forwarded to the BCCI Ombudsman for consideration. The Ombudsman conducted a virtual hearing and confirmed that the match referee’s decision remains final and binding,” BCCI added.

Pant’s suspension means DC will have to name a stand-in captain for the crucial game against RCB on Sunday. In all likelihood it will be Australian David Warner.

It’s a big blow for DC, which needs to win its next two games to ensure a smooth entry into the playoffs. Their net run rate isn’t the best, and a loss in either of the two remaining games could spell their end for the year. And losing Pant is a three-way blow to the team. He is not only their captain but also their best batsman of the season and also their best goalkeeper.

Pant has scored 413 runs at a strike rate of 156 in 12 matches.