Angkrish Raghuvanshi has been fined an amount equal to 20% of his match fee and also received a demerit point after being found in breach of Level 1 under the IPL Code of Conduct during Kolkata Knight Riders’ fixture against Lucknow Super Giants in Lucknow on Sunday. The punishment came after his “aggressive” reaction to a disputed obstructing-the-field dismissal in the fifth over.
Key takeaways
- Raghuvanshi was fined 20% of his match fee and awarded one demerit point for a Level 1 Code of Conduct breach.
- The incident followed an obstructing-the-field decision in the fifth over involving Mohammed Shami’s throw from mid-on.
- TV umpire Rohan Pandit upheld the on-field appeal after concluding Raghuvanshi had significantly changed his direction while returning to the crease.
- After the call, Raghuvanshi argued with officials, struck the boundary cushion with his bat, and threw away his helmet in frustration.
- IPL disciplinary action was linked to Raghuvanshi’s conduct involving the bat and helmet under Article 2.2 of the Code.
- Both Shaun Pollock and Virender Sehwag publicly questioned the dismissal, describing it as harsh and not one they agreed with.
How the controversial dismissal unfolded
The sequence began when Prince Yadav bowled a length delivery and Raghuvanshi nudged it toward the mid-on region. Raghuvanshi set off for a single, but Green sent him back. The throw arrived at the striker’s end as Raghuvanshi had dived back to ground his position, and the ball struck him during the attempt. Shami appealed for obstructing the field as the ball met Raghuvanshi’s body.
With the matter referred to the third umpire, the decision turned on whether Raghuvanshi’s running path amounted to a significant directional change without probable cause. The third umpire reviewed replays and determined that he had changed his direction and was therefore out for obstructing the field. The KKR camp were not satisfied, reacting with clear surprise at the final verdict.
Raghuvanshi appeared equally frustrated. While walking back, he had an extended exchange with the umpires in the middle and gestured as if he needed room to turn back, suggesting he could not have executed a sharp 180-degree change in line after abandoning his run. On his way toward the pavilion, he hit the boundary cushion with his bat and tossed his helmet away. KKR head coach Abhishek Nayar was also seen in an animated conversation with the fourth umpire.
What the playing conditions say, and why experts disagreed
The ruling was grounded in the IPL’s playing conditions for obstructing the field. Article 37.1.4 of the IPL 2026 playing conditions states that if an umpire believes a batter, while running between wickets, has significantly changed direction without probable cause and thereby obstructed a fielder’s attempt to effect a run out, then the batter should be given out on appeal. It also clarifies that it is not relevant whether a run out would have occurred or not. Article 37.2 adds that a batter cannot be found out for obstructing the field if the obstruction or distraction was accidental, if it was made to avoid injury, or if—where the striker is involved—the batter makes a lawful second or subsequent strike to protect his wicket.
Even with the framework in place, the decision drew criticism. Shaun Pollock said he did not agree with the call, explaining that when a runner is told “no,” they usually move around to reposition and try to get back. He added that Raghuvanshi was watching where the ball was coming from, then lowered his head to dive and make his ground. Pollock also argued that the ball was not close to the stumps and said he believed there was no real intent to obstruct. He pointed out what he viewed as a straight running line after the turn, suggesting the outcome was driven by the angle of Shami’s throw rather than any deliberate change of line.
Pollock further highlighted a comparison with Rishabh Pant’s reaction, noting that Pant did not show excitement, did not raise his hands, and did not appeal—an indication Pollock felt there was no belief that the dismissal was clear. Virender Sehwag, meanwhile, described it as a “harsh decision” on the Hindi show format of Cricbuzz Live.
Why the IPL penalised Raghuvanshi after the match call
Alongside the debate over the on-field verdict, the IPL also acted on Raghuvanshi’s subsequent behaviour. The league sanctioned him under Article 2.2 of its Code of Conduct, which concerns abuse of cricket equipment or clothing, ground equipment, or match fixtures and fittings. In a media advisory, the IPL noted that Raghuvanshi struck the boundary cushion with his bat in an aggressive manner and then threw his helmet into the dugout in a similar fashion.
Raghuvanshi accepted the offence and agreed to the sanction handed down by the match referee, Javagal Srinath.
