Andy Flower fined for ‘use of an audible obscenity’ during MI clash

Andy Flower fined for 'use of an audible obscenity' during MI clash

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) head coach Andy Flower has been fined 15% of his match fee for breaching Level 1 of the IPL 2026 Code of Conduct during their game against Mumbai Indians in Raipur on Sunday (May 10).

The IPL said Flower breached Article 2.3 of the Code of Conduct, which relates to the "use of an audible obscenity during a match". The incident occurred in the 17.2 over of RCB's run-chase when Flower was involved in an animated exchange with the fourth umpire.

The flashpoint came after a contentious boundary call involving Krunal Pandya. Facing AM Ghazanfar, Krunal lofted the ball towards wide long-on where Naman Dhir took the catch near the ropes and parried it towards Tilak Varma while stepping over the boundary line. Tilak did not complete the catch and appeared to signal a six, perhaps mistaking Naman clipping one boot with the other for contact with the boundary cushions. Replays, however, showed Dhir had not touched the cushions during the effort.

Krunal, who was cramping up, did not attempt a run, and the delivery eventually resulted in a dot ball.

Flower admitted to the offence of "speaking aggressively with the fourth umpire" and accepted the sanction imposed by match referee Amit Sharma. Under IPL regulations, sanctions for Level 1 breaches are final and binding.