Heavy fines keep players in check

IN THE LAST GAME ON SUNDAY, MI CAPTAIN ROHIT GOT A HOWLER AGAINST KKR AND HE LET IT FLY

umpiring standards have come under scrutiny in the ongoing Indian Premier League, but it seems the Indian Premier League officials have the best deterrent against players questioning the official’s decisions – heavy fines.

On Tuesday, Mumbai Indians wicketkeeper and opening batsman Parthiv Patel opted to leave the delivery alone when he was probed about the umpiring errors in the tournament, after his captain Rohit Sharma was reprimanded for showing dissent in Sunday’s game. One of the reasons for his being at his best behaviour was heavy fines that the IPL has in place for players publicly talking about umpiring.

“I can’t comment on umpiring as they cut a lot of money (fines for such offences). Whatever happen, happens in the heat of the moment and then players move on,” said Patel.

In the last game here on Sunday, Mumbai Indians captain Rohit got a howler against Kolkata Knight Riders and he let it fly.

Patel was involved in an umpiring incident in the last Irani Cup game, in January, where he was leading the Gujarat team against Rest of India at the Brabourne Stadium. After get ting a howler from umpire Viren der Sharma, he had protested on the way back, and heard on the stump microphone saying “Umpiring karte kyon ho?” (why do you officiate?). He was later seen having a word with match referee Chinmaya Sharma.

Rohit Sharma is at his best fac ing the new ball. In the limited overs format, his fortunes changed after India tried him in the opening slot, but at Mumba Indians he has been experiment ing with his batting number.

Talking about Rohit’s batting order, Parthiv said: “The year before when we won the champi onship with myself and Lend (Simmons) opening we were suc cessful.

“With Rohit coming down i gives stability to the batting order and gives us freedom to play shots in the first six overs. In the firs two games we gave good starts but lost wickets at the wrong time.”