IPL: 5 instances when cricketers were fined due to on-field spat

4. Kieron pollard vs Mitchell Starc (MI vs RCB, 2014)

Mumbai Indians crossed swords against Royal Challengers Bangalore in the 27th match of IPL 2014 at the Wankhede Stadium. RCB won the toss and skipper Virat Kohli opted to bowl first. During the 17th over of Mumbai’s innings, Mitchell Starc and Kieron Pollard were involved in an ugly altercation on the field.

In the fourth delivery of the 17th over, Starc bowled a bouncer to Pollard, who was beaten by pace as he tried to hook. Post the delivery, the speedster spoke a few words to the former West Indies batter, who dID not entertain it and waved him off. As Starc came steaming in to bowl the next delivery, Pollard backed away and moved towards the leg side. However, the left-arm pacer did not abort and fired the ball towards Pollard. 

It angered the batter and he violently swung the bat towards the bowler. Pollard’s bat slipped out of his hand and fell near him. Then both Starc and Pollard were seen in a war of words. Both players committed level 2 offences under IPL’s Code of Conduct and the match referee Andy Pycroft penalised Pollard 75 per cent and Starc 50 per cent of their match fees.

Talking about the game, Mumbai posted 187 runs on the board with Rohit Sharma (59* runs off 35 balls) scoring a brilliant half-century. RCB, in reply, could only manage 168 runs in 20 overs. Rohit was adjudged the Player of the Match for his glorious knock.