Gujarat Titans head coach Ashish Nehra has been fined 25% of his match fee and given one demerit point for breaching Article 2.20 of the IPL Code of Conduct during GT’s rain-hit match against Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium on May 6.
While the IPL did not disclose the exact nature of Nehra’s offence, he was seen visibly agitated during the stoppage and engaged in intense discussions with the on-field umpires, allegedly urging for the game to resume amid weather interruptions.
The IPL’s official release said: “Ashish Nehra… admitted to the Level 1 offence under Article 2.20 — conduct contrary to the spirit of the game — and accepted the match referee’s sanction.” Decisions on Level 1 breaches are final and binding.
This marks only the second instance of a coach receiving a demerit point in IPL history. Earlier this season, Delhi Capitals (DC) bowling coach Munaf Patel was penalised similarly following a Super Over win against Rajasthan Royals.
Separately, MI captain Hardik Pandya was fined Rs 24 lakh for a second slow over-rate offence. The rest of the XI, including the impact player and concussion substitute, were fined either Rs 6 lakh or 25% of their match fee, whichever was lesser.
Confirming Pandya’s penalty, the IPL’s release said in an official statement: “As it was his team’s second offence of the season under the IPL’s Code of Conduct relating to minimum over-rate offences, Pandya was fined Rs 24 lakh.”