Fizz’s skipper heavily fined as Pant lost his cool over no-ball decision

Delhi Capitals' captain Rishabh Pant and player Shardul Thakur were heavily fined by the Indian Premier League (IPL) management while assistant coach Pravin Amre faced a one-match ban as well after the trio failed to keep their composure in the final moments of their match against Rajasthan Royals on Friday.

Despite needing 36 off six deliveries while chasing a mammoth 223, Delhi Capitals' Rovman Powell at the striker's end - was not ready to go down without a fight. Bowler Obed McCoy of Rajasthan Royals had one of the easiest tasks for a bowler on the other camp.

But three balls later, McCoy had felt the heat as Powell smashed three on the trot for maximums.

The heat had spread all over the place afterwards and as the Rishabh Pant-led Delhi side appealed for a no-ball for the third delivery which appeared to have been over Powell's waist at the time of contact. And when the umpires refused to review, Pant asked the batters in the middle – Powell and Kuldeep Yadav -- to walk off. Aussie assistant coach Shane Watson approached Pant to calm him down but the fire was too strong to contain in the Delhi dugout.

Watson attempting to talk some sense into Pant during the controversial phase of the game. Photo: Reuters

"There is no question that when there is a big stoppage in the game that can change moment," said the Australian.

"It gave Obed McCoy time to regroup as well. In the end, that stoppage did play into RR's hand and it was an unfortunate stoppage."

In the end, Jos Buttler's nine sixes and nine fours that resulted to a brilliant 65-ball 116 was overshadowed by the unsporting acts of Pant and Amre, who were fined 100 per cent of their match fees while pacer Shardul was penalised 50 per cent as all committed level two offence under IPL Code of Conduct.