Jaipur: Chennai Super Kings skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni received a lot of flak for his on-field argument with umpires following a no-ball flip-flop during an IPL match against Rajasthan Royals here.
Revered for his ‘captain cool’ demeanour, Dhoni uncharacteristically lost his cool and rushed out of the dug-out to challenge umpire Ulhas Gandhe who called a no-ball before retracting his decision during the last over of a tense chase Thursday night.
While Dhoni was let off with a 50 per cent fine on his match fee, former England captain Michael Vaughan, ex-Australian opener Mark Waugh, former India cricketers Aakash Chopra and Hemang Badani criticised the CSK skipper for his conduct.
Vaughan was livid with Dhoni, saying he was setting a wrong example as a captain.
“The skipper (Dhoni) coming on to the pitch can not happen. I know it’s MS Dhoni and he can do anything in this country but you are not allowed to leave the dug out and go and point a finger at the umpire. That’s a complete no-no, you can’t be setting that example as a captain.”
Don’t tweet utter Rubbish … As a Captain you have to respect the Umpires decision … it was a terrible example to set … https://t.co/A2aICbhOwb
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) April 12, 2019
Former Australian batsman Mark Waugh took to twitter to express his disappointment with Dhoni.
“I know there’s pressure from owners and big money involved in the IPL but I’ve been very disappointed with the two incidents involving the skippers of there respective teams in Ashwin and MS. Not a good look at all,” he wrote, referring to the mankading incident involving Kings XI Punjab skipper R Ashwin and Jos Buttler.
I know there’s pressure from owners and big money involved in the IPL but I’ve been very disappointed with the 2 incidents involving the skippers of there respective teams in Ashwin and MS. Not a good look at all.
— Mark Waugh (@juniorwaugh349) April 12, 2019
Last night’s incident happened in the fourth ball of the last over when Ben Stokes bowled a waist high full toss to Mitchell Santner. Initially, it looked as if umpire Ulhas Gandhe was about to signal no-ball only to decide otherwise.
Dhoni, who was dismissed in the previous delivery, lost his bearing at the incident and walked into the field of play and took the umpire head-on. He was seen angrily gesturing at the umpire before leg umpire Chris Gaffaney asked Dhoni to leave.
Former Indian batsman Aakash Chopra slammed the poor standard of umpiring but also criticised Dhoni for setting a wrong precedent.
“Umpiring standards have been pretty low in this #IPL and that was a no-ball given and reversed. Enough to feel crossed and miffed. But the opposition captain has no right to walk out on the pitch after being dismissed. Dhoni set a wrong precedent tonight,” Chopra wrote in his twitter handle.
Umpiring standards have been pretty low in this #IPL and that was a no-ball given and reversed. Enough to feel crossed and miffed. But the opposition captain has no right to walk out on the pitch after being dismissed. Dhoni set a wrong precedent tonight. #RRvCSK #IPL
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) April 11, 2019
Badani too was surprised by Dhoni’s behaviour.
“The umpire is well within his right to overturn a No-Ball or any decision on the field for that matter. Surprised with how Dhoni handled it. It was so unlike Captain Cool #RRvCSK,” he wrote in his twitter handle.
The umpire is well within his right to overturn a No-Ball or any decision on the field for that matter. Surprised with how Dhoni handled it. It was so unlike Captain Cool #RRvCSK
— Hemang Badani (@hemangkbadani) April 11, 2019
Pragyan Ojha, a left-arm India spinner, also slammed the umpiring standard.
“Umpiring this season has deteriorated! Some times you feel what do you play for, the cup or the fair play award?,” he tweeted.
Umpiring this season has deteriorated! Some times you feel what do you play for, the cup or the fair play award? #RRvCSK #VIVOIPL congratulations #msd for 100th win as captain. #GameBanayegaName
— Pragyan Ojha (@pragyanojha) April 11, 2019
PTI
