Munaf fined, Harbhajan warned for arguing with umpire

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Mumbai Indians player Munaf Patel was on Tuesday docked 25 per cent of his match fee and his captain Harbhajan Singh handed a warning for breach of IPL Code of Conduct for having a heated and prolonged argument with the umpires during their side's match against Deccan Chargers here.

Deccan captain Kumar Sangakkara was clearly out off the bowling of Munaf in Monday's match with the ball hitting the off-stump but the field umpires thought it happened after ricocheting from Mumbai wicket-keeper Dinesh Karthik.

An angry-looking Harbhajan and Munaf came rushing in and apparently asked the umpires why they did not refer the matter to the third umpire if they were not sure of the decision. The umpires eventually made a referral to the third umpire who ruled Sangakkara out.

"Mumbai Indians player Munaf Patel was fined 25 per cent of his match fee and received an official warning and reprimand for breaching the DLF Indian Premier League Code of Conduct during his team's match against Deccan Chargers in Vishakhapatnam on Monday night," IPL said in a release.

"Mumbai Indians captain Harbhajan Singh received an official warning and reprimand for breaching the DLF Indian Premier League (IPL) Code of Conduct during the same match," it added.

Both players admitted the Level 1 offence (Article 2.1.3) of showing dissent at an umpires decision and accepted their respective sanctions.

In the same match, Deccan Chargers pacer Dale Steyn also received an official warning and reprimand for the Level 1 offence (Article 2.1.6) of pointing and gesturing towards the pavilion after the dismissal of T. Suman in the second over of the Mumbai Indians innings. Steyn admitted the offence and accepted the sanction.

All of the three cases were dealt with by Match Referee Graeme La Brooy in accordance with the IPL Code of Conduct and being Level 1 breaches, his decision in each case is final and binding.