IPL 2021: Aakash Chopra calls for fines on Sanju Samson and KL Rahul after slow over-rate in RR vs PBKS match

Former Indian cricketer, Aakash Chopra, feels that Sanju Samson, the Rajasthan Royals (RR) skipper, and KL Rahul, the Punjab Kings (PBKS) captain, should be slapped with fines for slow over-rates during RR’s match against PBKS on Monday. At the renowned Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, it was Rahul’s Punjab-based team that won the match by four runs.

Earlier, MS Dhoni, the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) captain, was fined for a slow over-rate in the match against Delhi Capitals (DC) in Mumbai itself. Since it was CSK’s first offence in IPL 2021, Dhoni was docked INR 12 lakhs under the IPL’s Code of Conduct. Chopra said that when the 39-year-old Dhoni was fined, Samson and Rahul shouldn’t get away.

Aakash Chopra opines

He took to Twitter and wrote, “10 overs per hour. For both sides. Yes…lots of sixes. Tight game too. But 2 hours to finish a T20 innings is unacceptable. MSD was fined the other night….expecting the same for both captains tonight.”

10 overs per hour. For both sides. Yes…lots of sixes. Tight game too. But 2 hours to finish a T20 innings is unacceptable. MSD was fined the other night….expecting the same for both captains tonight. #IPL2021 #RRvPBKS

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) April 12, 2021

The match in Mumbai saw around 440 runs being scored by both the teams. Batting first, PBKS posted 221 in their 20 overs. But in the run-chase, Samson’s 63-ball 119 kept RR in the hunt for a victory. In the end, Punjab held their nerves and got over the line.

Following the win, Rahul said that despite not performing over the years, his belief in the team didn’t diminish. He also lauded left-arm fast bowler Arshdeep Singh for bowling the last over under pressure and taking PBKS to glory.

“I didn’t stop believing in the team, and we knew a couple of wickets will bring us back. The game went deep only because me included, we dropped some sitters. We bowled well until about 11-12 overs. We’re used to this, and it’s not something new for us, but a win like this brings the team together,” Rahul was quoted as saying after the game.

“I always go to Arshdeep for crucial overs and he enjoys the pressure. He loves being in the contest and I love throwing him the ball, and he trusts himself and trusts his skills, so that’s always good to see,” he added.