Raghuvanshi fined after 'aggressive' response to obstructing-the-field decision

Angkrish Raghuvanshi has been fined 20% of his match fee and handed one demerit point for breaching Level 1 of the IPL Code of Conduct during Kolkata Knight Riders' match against Lucknow Super Giants in Lucknow on Sunday.

The sanction followed Raghuvanshi's '"aggressive" response to a controversial obstructing-the-field dismissal in the fifth over. An appeal was referred upstairs by on-field umpires Keyur Kelkar and Abhijeet Bengeri after Mohammed Shami's throw from mid-on struck Raghuvanshi as he dived back at the striker's end. TV umpire Rohan Pandit ruled that Raghuvanshi had significantly "changed his direction" while returning to the crease and upheld the appeal.

Raghuvanshi then engaged in an extended discussion with the umpires, gesturing that he needed room to turn back and could not have made a sharp 180-degree turn on the same line. On his way back to the pavilion, he struck the boundary cushion with his bat and flung his helmet away in frustration, while KKR head coach Abhishek Nayar was also seen in an animated conversation with the fourth umpire.

Article 37.1.4 of playing conditions for IPL 2026 states: "If an umpire feels that a batter has significantly changed his direction without probable cause and thereby obstructed a fielder's attempt to effect a run out, the batter should be given out, obstructing the field."

Article 37.2 states: "A batter shall not be out Obstructing the field if obstruction or distraction is accidental, or obstruction is in order to avoid injury."

The verdict did not convince everyone. Shaun Pollock said on Cricbuzz Live: "I didn't agree with the decision. When you are running and someone says no, you try and amble around to make your way back. He was waiting to see where the ball is coming from, then he put his head down and dove to make his ground. If you look at his path, he ran straight. I don't think there was intent there. For me, the telltale sign is Rishabh Pant. He doesn't get excited, doesn't appeal. He's not thinking it was out."

The IPL penalised Raghuvanshi under Article 2.2 of its Code of Conduct, which deals with "abuse of cricket equipment or clothing, ground equipment or fixtures and fittings during a Match."

The IPL noted that Raghuvanshi "struck the boundary cushion with his bat in an aggressive manner and subsequently threw his helmet into the dugout in a similar manner."

Raghuvanshi admitted to the offence and accepted referee Javagal Srinath's sanction.