Kolkata Knight Riders‘ fast bowler, Harshit Rana, has been fined 60% of his match fees for breaching the IPL Code of Conduct during the team’s recent encounter against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Rana’s actions during the match drew significant attention and criticism, leading to his penalization.
Rana’s celebration after dismissing Sunrisers Hyderabad’s batsman, Mayank Agarwal, sparked controversy as he exuberantly blew a flying kiss towards the departing batter. This gesture was deemed inappropriate by many, including legendary Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar, who expressed disapproval during commentary, stating that such antics have no place in cricket.
Despite the controversy surrounding Rana’s conduct, Kolkata Knight Riders managed to secure a thrilling victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad. Rana played a pivotal role in the final over, showcasing resilience and picking up crucial wickets alongside Andre Russell’s explosive half-century.
The match, characterized by Heinrich Klaasen’s blistering innings of 63 off 29 balls for Sunrisers Hyderabad, nearly turned the tide in their favor. However, Kolkata Knight Riders’ collective effort, led by Russell’s 64 and Phil Salt’s 54, proved to be just enough to clinch a narrow four-run win.
Rana has admitted to the infractions and accepted the sanctions imposed by the Match Referee, reinforcing the importance of upholding the spirit of the game and maintaining decorum on the field.