Kolkata Knight Riders seamer Harshit Rana has incurred significant fines for his ‘flying kiss’ send-off to SunRisers Hyderabad opener Mayank Agarwal during Match 3 of IPL 2024 on Saturday. The right-arm seamer has been found guilty of committing two Level 1 offences under Article 2.5 of the IPL’s Code of Conduct.
In a crucial moment for the Knight Riders, Rana dismissed Mayank but followed it with a ‘flying kiss’ send-off. In response, the right-handed batter gave him a stern look. The 22-year-old has been fined 10 percent and 50 percent of his match fees for these two infractions.
It’s important to emphasize that the match referee’s ruling is conclusive and obligatory for Level 1 breaches of the Code of Conduct.
Harshit Rana delivers a decisive final over to secure victory for Kolkata
Harshit Rana claimed figures of 3/33 as the Kolkata Knight Riders held off Heinrich Klaasen’s onslaught to secure a narrow four-run victory in the match. Despite losing the toss, the Knight Riders staged a strong recovery to post 208 runs in 20 overs, courtesy of Andre Russell’s explosive unbeaten 64*.
With the SunRisers requiring 78 runs from 27 deliveries at one point, the Knight Riders appeared in control. However, Heinrich Klaasen, Abdul Samad, and Shahbaz Ahmed nearly brought their team to victory.
However, Rana clinched two crucial wickets in the final over, including that of Klaasen, as the SunRisers fell short, managing only 204 runs within their allotted 20 overs. Here’s Shreyas Iyer’s statement regarding Rana during the post-match presentation:
“To be honest, in the last over I thought anything could happen. They needed 13 runs and we probably didn’t have the most experienced bowler bowling at that particular time. This is the time where he could become a hero. That’s what I told him. ‘Back yourself. No matter what happens in this situation, we’re going to back you.”
Russell, who scored an unbeaten 64 runs off 25 deliveries and claimed two wickets, was awarded the Player of the Match.
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