IPL 2021: KKR skipper Eoin Morgan fined for slow over-rate against MI

Kolkata Knight Riders’ captain Eoin Morgan has been fined INR 24 lakh for maintaining a slow over-rate against the Mumbai Indians on Thursday, September 23 at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. Since it was the Englishman’s second offence, the other KKR players were also docked INR 6 lakh or 25 percent of their match fees, whichever was lesser.

Morgan’s first offence under Indian Premier League’s Code of Conduct came back in April during KKR’s match against the MS Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Back then, the southpaw was slapped with a fine of INR 12 lakh.

“As it was the team’s second offence of the season under the IPL’s Code of Conduct relating to minimum over-rate offences, Kolkata Knight Riders captain Eoin Morgan was fined Rs 24 lakhs,” read an official IPL statement.

“The rest of the members of the playing XI were each fined lesser of either Rs 6 lakhs or 25% of their individual match fee,” the statement added.

If the 35-year-old Morgan gets involved in a third offence, he will have to pay a fine of INR 30 lakh and serve a one-match ban. The other players will be docked INR 12 lakh or 50 percent of their match fee, whichever is lesser.

We were trying to fit Iyer into the XI: Eoin Morgan

On Thursday, KKR won their second game of the IPL 2021 UAE leg after beating MI by seven wickets. The victory also took them to the fourth spot in the points table. Venkatesh Iyer and Rahul Tripathi score half-centuries and helped KKR chase down 156 with 29 balls to spare.

Iyer, who played his second IPL game, conjured praises from Morgan for scoring a match-winning 30-ball 53 with four fours and three sixes.

“It’s been a long time since we’ve played like this. Baz has taken over for almost two seasons, so the way we are playing is now getting into his style. To hold such a strong Mumbai team, and chase it down in the manner we did gives us confidence. We were trying to fit Iyer into the XI with a lot of talented guys, and it’s fantastic with the manner he has scored runs,” Morgan said.