Published: Jun 20, 2015, 04:07 PM (IST)
Edited: Jun 20, 2015, 04:08 PM (IST)
Although the Indian team management have not decided to lodge an appeal against the fine handed to MS Dhoni for colliding with fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman while attempting a run in the first ODI in Mirpur, it is revealed they had been planning to do so if the penalty was given only to the Indian captain. As it turned out, Dhoni was fined 75 percent of his match fee, and Mustafizur 50 percent, by the match referee Andy Pycroft. READ: MS Dhoni, Mustafizur Rahman fined for on-field collision
After the team had returned to their hotel, the team had been informed about the punishment being reserved only for Dhoni, which prompted the team, after several rounds of meeting, to contest the charges. Three options were communicated as options of responses to this judgment by the Indian camp: contest charges, face appropriate penalty, or request a smaller penalty, according to a report by Hindustan Times. But the Indian camp held a firm view that, ‘Our main defence was Dhoni never tried to intentionally hurt Mustafizur’, as quoted by the daily. VIDEO: MS Dhoni pushes Mustafizur Rahman in India vs Bangladesh 1st ODI at Mirpur
But at the hearing in the morning, Dhoni described what happened chronologically as the footage of the incident was being shown to him, after which Bangladesh bowler and their team’s manager were also summoned separately. While Dhoni was running between the wickets, there was little space for him to move ahead and at the same time avoid physical contact between Dhoni and Suresh Raina, his running partner, or Dhoni and Mustfizur. Eventually, Dhoni collided with Mustafizur, as he had to get to the other end quickly to avoid getting run out. READ: MS Dhoni wrongly fined, Mustafizur Rahman came in way twice: Sanjay Manjrekar
Mustafizur, after being shown the footage, admitted he could have made more efforts to avoid the contact. As both players were given the penalty, the Indian team management refrained from contesting the charges or lodging any protest. The second ODI will begin on Saturday.
