Yet another discipline-related incident has rocked the IPL, with Mumbai Indians’ batting coach Keiron Pollard handed a sanction by the BCCI following the franchise’s tense win over Punjab Kings in Dharamsala. Pollard was penalised after an incident during the match, adding a fresh mark to his disciplinary record.
Quick facts
- Keiron Pollard, Mumbai Indians’ batting coach, received a BCCI penalty.
- The fine amounts to 15% of his applicable match fee.
- Pollard was also given one demerit point.
- The breach relates to Article 2.3 of the IPL Code of Conduct for Players and Team Officials.
- Article 2.3 covers the “use of an audible obscenity during a match.”
- The incident was reported during the 19th over of the second innings.
The offence was categorised under Article 2.3 of the IPL Code of Conduct for Players and Team Officials, which specifically addresses the use of an audible obscenity during a match. The reported incident occurred in the second innings, in the 19th over, when Pollard was said to have directed abusive language towards the fourth umpire.
On Friday, the IPL released a statement confirming the punishment. It noted that Pollard, as Mumbai Indians’ batting coach, was fined 15% of his applicable match fee and received one demerit point for violating Level 1 of the IPL Code of Conduct. The statement further clarified that the matter fell under Article 2.3, tied to the use of an audible obscenity during play.
Pollard admitted to the breach and accepted the sanction issued by the Match Referee, Pankaj Dharmani. With that admission and the formal penalty, the disciplinary case was closed with no further delay.
MI edge PBKS in Dharamsala thriller
On the field, Mumbai Indians pulled off a high-stakes chase against Punjab Kings at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala, winning by 6 wickets with only one ball remaining. Chasing a target of 201, MI finished at 205/4 in 19.5 overs, keeping their composure after a pressure-filled run chase.
Tilak Varma played the key role for Mumbai, staying unbeaten on 75 as the innings swung towards the finish line. Punjab Kings, meanwhile, suffered their fifth straight defeat under Shreyas Iyer’s captaincy, a run of losses that has further damaged their chances of securing a place in the playoffs.
Earlier, Punjab posted 200 after a strong start powered by Prabhsimran Singh, who struck 57 off 32. The innings also featured late momentum from Azmatullah Omarzai, finishing with 38 off 17, helping PBKS reach a demanding total despite a mid-innings jolt.
That setback came when Mumbai’s Shardul Thakur produced a decisive burst, taking 4 wickets for 39 runs and triggering a collapse in the middle order. Even with the late acceleration from Omarzai, Punjab could not fully halt the damage once Thakur struck.
In response, Ryan Rickelton gave MI an explosive start with 48 off 23. From there, Tilak Varma shaped the chase under pressure, and a quick cameo from Will Jacks added momentum at a crucial stage.
Together, Tilak and the finishing support guided Mumbai through a tense final stretch, with the win confirmed when MI struck a six on the penultimate ball of the match. The result capped a dramatic evening—discipline issues off the field and a nail-biting chase under the lights.
