IPL 2020: RR’s Steve Smith fined for slow over-rate against MI

On Tuesday, October 6, Rajasthan Royals (RR) lost to the Mumbai Indians (MI) by 57 runs at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. Adding insult to injury, Steve Smith, their skipper, was fined for slow over-rate. He was fined INR 12 lakhs, with the offence being the Royals’ first in the tournament.

The 31-year-old Smith, from the personal point of view, didn’t have a great day either. The New South Wales-born got out to Jasprit Bumrah after scoring six off seven balls with a four. In fact, in the last three innings, Smith couldn’t even cross the double-digit mark.

“As it was his team’s first offence of the season under the IPL’s Code of Conduct relating to minimum over-rate offences, Mr. Smith was fined Rs 12 lakh,” an IPL media release stated, reported by Cricbuzz.

Steve Smith having a rough time

Smith started the tournament with scores of 69 and 50 against the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) respectively. At the present point in time, from five games, the right-hander has 133 runs at an average and strike-rate of 26.60 and 143.01 respectively.

As far as the Royals are concerned, they started the tournament in an emphatic manner, winning against CSK and KXIP at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium. Smith’s men also recorded the highest ever run-chase in the history of the IPL after Rahul Tewatia’s heroics took them over the line.

However, after moving out of Sharjah, RR have lost one game in Dubai and two matches in Abu Dhabi. The team have found it difficult to mould their game as per the playing conditions. With three defeats on the trot, the Royals are now placed seventh on the points table with four points.

They are next scheduled to lock horns with Shreyas Iyer’s Delhi Capitals (DC) on Friday, October 9 at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium. Going into the match, the Royals can take heart from the fact that Sharjah has been a happy hunting ground for them.

Smith also needs to find his mojo and get back to form at the earliest. In Tuesday’s match, Jos Buttler scored 70 runs, but he didn’t get any support from his teammates. The Royals were bowled out for 136 in 18.1 overs.