Why was Rishabh Pant suspended? What did he say in his defense? – First post

Delhi Capitals captain Rishabh Pant will miss the crucial match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru after being handed a one-match suspension on Saturday. The DC captain was penalized for maintaining a slow over-speed for the third time in the IPL season. He was also fined Rs 30 lakh for violating the code of conduct against Rajasthan Royals on May 7.

“Mr Rishabh Pant, captain of Delhi Capitals, was fined and suspended for one match for violating the IPL Code of Conduct after his team maintained a slow over rate against Rajasthan Royals at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on May 7. 2024,” an IPL statement said.

How slow was DC in their overs against RR?

As per the rules, each team in the IPL has 85 minutes to complete their quota of 20 overs, meaning each team has 4.25 minutes per over to complete their 20 overs. In DC vs RR, Delhi Capitals took 117.82 minutes to reach their overs quota.

Considering the conditions, the referee Daniel Manohar granted a period of 26 minutes (automatic) to DC and Pant.
8 minutes and 18 minutes at your discretion
Protocol). Despite these concessions, Pant-led DC exceeded the allowed time limit by 6.82 minutes. As a result, they were 1.6047 overs behind (@ 4.25 minutes per over).

When did the previous crimes occur?

Delhi Capitals were previously found guilty of maintaining slow over-rates against Chennai Super Kings (March 31) and Kolkata Knight Riders (April 3).

“As it was his team’s third offense of the season under the IPL Code of Conduct relating to minimum overage violations, Rishabh Pant was fined INR 30 lakh and suspended for one match.”

All other DC players were also punished. “The remaining members of the playing eleven, including the impact player, have been individually fined either INR 12 lakh or 50 per cent of their respective match fees, whichever is less.”

Did Rishabh Pant challenge the verdict?

Yes. DC appealed the match referee’s decision, which was subsequently referred to the BCCI Ombudsman. The Ombudsman held a virtual hearing of the affected parties and stated that the match referee’s decision stood.

“In accordance with Article 8 of the IPL Code of Conduct, Delhi Capitals have appealed against the decision of the match referee. The complaint 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,” the statement continued.

How does Delhi Capitals defend itself in this case?

The virtual hearing was attended by Delhi Capitals director of cricket Sourav Ganguly, head coach Ricky Ponting, CEO Sunil Gupta and Pant. Ganguly argued that RR hit 13 sixes in the innings and ball retrieval allowance of 0.30 was given only three times. He also said that a review into the controversial dismissal of Sanju Samson was given only three minutes while the entire incident took longer and the RR captain also made allegations to the referees.

Ponting said in Pant’s defense that the DC bowlers came late to wide balls which took more time and they had no way of making up for the lost time. The former Australian captain also stated that wicketkeeper Pant should not be held responsible for any delays caused by the bowlers.

Pant, meanwhile, said the heat played a role in them bowling slower. The 26-year-old estimated that the review and dismissal of Samson took about five to six minutes and that the three-minute compensation awarded was insufficient.

What did BCCI say in their verdict?

BCCI CEO Hemang Amin addressed the points raised by Delhi Capitals in their defence. Talking about the 13 sixes hit, BCCI pointed out that Delhi scored 12 sixes of their own but Rajasthan Royals were not wrong in their over-rate. He also informed that RR met its quota in 102 minutes and after taking into account the 18-minute allowance, it finished in 84 minutes, which was a minute over the allowed limit.

BCI said all 13 sixes did not go into the stands and took a long time to pick up. Since DC did not provide evidence on this point, it was determined that “granting more time on this point is not acceptable.”

BCCI also said Pant and DC did not submit written statements and only presented their case orally. It added that DC had not provided any calculations to justify the arguments made, including that it was a hot day in Delhi.

On the topic of heat being an issue, BCCI said that since Rajasthan Royals were bowling first, they would have faced the brunt of the heat more than Delhi Capitals, who finished second. This also ruled out this point.

The ombudsman also said that the wide balls were a mistake on the part of Delhi Capitals and they should be held responsible for the same.

Upon Samson’s review, BCCI found that Delhi Capitals had again failed to provide any mathematical justification or evidence to support their argument. Pant has made oral statements in this regard without any match documents or internal records to support her argument.

As Pant and Delhi Capitals were unable to provide evidence to overturn the charge, the match referee’s decision stood and the appeal was dismissed.

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