IPL: Mahendra Singh Dhoni Fined for Inappropriate Public Comment on Umpire"s Decision

File photo of CSK skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni

© BCCI

Following Chennai Super Kings’ 25-run loss to Mumbai Indians in the first qualifier of IPL 2015, skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni was fined 10 percent of his match fee by the match referee for inappropriate public comments to an umpire’s decision. (Complete IPL 2015 coverage | Stats | Photos)

In the post-match presentation, Dhoni had pointed out that opener Dwayne Smith had fallen to a “horrible decision.” Smith was adjudged LBW after being struck on the pads off a full-toss from Lasith Malinga in the first over. Replays showed that ball would have gone down the leg side by a big margin.

According to a report on iplt20.com, Dhoni admitted the level 1 offence (Article 2.1.7 of the IPL Code of Conduct for Players and Team Officials) and accepted the sanction.

Dhoni’s Chennai will face the winner of Wednesday’s eliminator between Rajasthan Royals and Royal Challengers Bangalore, in the second qualifier in Ranchi on Friday.