Kolkata Knight Riders‘ fast bowler, Harshit Rana, has been a standout performer in the IPL 2024 season, amassing 11 wickets in eight matches. However, his on-field antics have not always been well-received. Earlier in the season, Rana faced heavy criticism and was fined 60 percent of his match fees by the BCCI for a flying-kiss send-off to Sunrisers Hyderabad‘s Mayank Agarwal.
In a recent match against Delhi Capitals, Rana was on the verge of repeating the same gesture after dismissing Abhishek Porel. Having been hit for two boundaries and a six in the previous over, Rana gestured towards Porel, indicating his way back to the dugout. However, he quickly stopped himself, recalling the harsh punishment meted out by the BCCI for his previous act.
Rana’s celebration was not only criticized by fans but also drew ire from former India captain Sunil Gavaskar. Gavaskar, speaking on air, expressed his disapproval, stating that such antics are unnecessary in the game and can be avoided, especially in the age of television.
Reflecting on his actions, Rana admitted to breaching the IPL Code of Conduct and accepted the Match Referee’s sanction. For Level 1 breaches of the Code of Conduct, the Match Referee’s decision is considered final and binding.
Despite the controversy surrounding him, Rana has continued to perform on the field, picking up two crucial wickets in the match against Delhi Capitals. His contributions played a key role in KKR’s seven-wicket victory, helping them maintain their position in the top two of the points table.
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