As many as five cricketers, including IPL stars Nitish Rana and Digvesh Rathi, were on Saturday (August 30) handed penalties between 30 and 100 percent of their match fees for code of conduct breach in the Delhi Premier League (DPL) 2025 match between South Delhi Superstarz and West Delhi Lions.
During Friday’s match at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Rana emerged as the star for West Delhi Lions with his sensational knock of 134* (55) as he helped his side chase down 202 in 17.1 overs.
West Delhi Lions' Krish Yadav has received the maximum punishment, being fined 100 per cent of his match fee for a code of conduct violation relating to audible obscenity during the match.
"Krish Yadav has been fined 100 percent of the match fees for a Code of Conduct breach under Article 2.3 (Level 2) for the use of audible obscenity during a match following an abuse from the opposing team player and pointing the bat towards the player," said a DPL statement.
"Digvesh Rathi (South Delhi Superstarz) has been fined 80 percent of the match fees for a code of conduct breach under Article 2.2 (Level 2) for the conduct contrary to the spirit of the game.
"Nitish Rana (West Delhi Lions) has been fined 50 per cent of the match fees for a code of conduct breach under Article 2.6 (Level 1) - Using a gesture that is obscene, offensive or insulting during a match.
"Aman Bharti (South Delhi Superstarz) has been fined 30 per cent of the match fees for a code of conduct breach under Article 2.3 (Level 1) for the use of audible obscenity during a Match," the release added.
South Delhi Superstarz's Sumit Mathur has also been docked 50 per cent of the match fees "for a code of conduct breach under Article 2.5 (Level 1) - Using language, actions or gesture which disparage or which could provoke an aggressive reaction from another player."
Nitish Rana and Digvesh Rathi engaged in a heated face-off during the Eliminator clash. A video of their ugly spat has also gone viral, where Nitish can be seen saying a few words to Rathi and then imitating his trademark notebook celebration on his bat after hitting the wrist-spinner for a maximum.
Rathi was left annoyed by Rana’s antics, and ended up exchanging some comments, which didn’t go down well with the southpaw as he charged towards the bowler angrily, leading to an altercation between the duo.
As the tempers flared, other players and the match officials had to intervene to separate the two.
Earlier in the second innings, a brawl broke out involving players from both teams, requiring umpire interference.
The incident unfolded in the 11th over when Krish attempted to hit Aman for a six over long-off but was caught by Anmol Sharma near the boundary. What followed was a heated exchange, with players from both sides pushing and shoving.
Sumit, Aman, and Krish were at the centre of altercation. The umpire had to step in to bring the situation under control, while other players rushed to diffuse the tension.
Coming to the match, West Delhi Lions emerged victorious by seven wickets and made it to the Qualifier 2, where they will face East Delhi Riders on Saturday (August 30).
(With PTI Inputs)
