Chennai Super Kings became the first team to qualify for IPL 16 finals after the Men in Yellow handed a 15 runs defeat to Gujarat Titans, who will now face Mumbai Indians in the 2nd qualifier today.
In the game against Gujarat, the bowlers were on point for CSK, as four bowlers took a two-wicket haul. Matheesha Pathirana was the star as he has become MSD’s go-to bowler at the death.
However, MSD and Pathirana were at the centre of controversy against Gujarat. Notably, during the 16th over of the game, Pathirana was out of the field for around 9 minutes and was denied to bowl by the umpires, which was followed by an argument between Dhoni and the on-field umpires.
The rules suggest that Pathirana had to spend as much time on the field as he was out before he could bowl. However, there were four minutes left before he could bowl again, but the argument by Dhoni was seen as wasting time, which in fact, led to the umpires agreeing to let Pathirana bowl.
The decision did not go well with several experts, and in the latest development, former ICC umpire Daryl Harper has slammed Dhoni for his disrespectful act.
“MS wasted time to allow Pathirana to bowl the crucial 16th over. The only conclusion from that act was it was disrespectful. Dhoni lacked respect for the spirit of cricket. There were other bowling options, but it was disappointing to see the lengths some people go to win a game. A few have become bigger than the law.”
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