IPL 2026: Andy Flower fined for breaching IPL code of conduct

Andy Flower (Pic: PTI)

The head coach of Royal Challengers Bengaluru has been fined 15% of his applicable match pay for violating the IPL's code of conduct for arguing with the fourth umpire during their match against the Mumbai Indians, the tournament organiser said on Monday.

"Andy Flower, Head Coach, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, has been fined 15% of his applicable match fee for breaching Level 1 of the IPL's Code of Conduct for Players and Team officials," the IPL official statement said.

"Andy was found to have breached article 2.3 of the IPL's Code of Conduct, which relates to 'use of an audible obscenity during a match.' The incident occurred in 17.2 when Andy spoke aggressively with the fourth umpire. Andy admitted to the offence and accepted the sanction imposed by Match Referee, Amit Sharma."

Flower was observed engaging in an animated chat with the fourth umpire during the 17.2 over of RCB's innings. This followed a controversial boundary ruling involving Krunal Pandya. The RCB player had hit a catch to Naman Dhir at wide long-on, who then parried it toward Tilak Varma while stepping over the boundary line.

Despite the controversy, RCB held their nerve and managed to get a win that put them at the top of the IPL table.

RCB beat MI in a last-ball thriller

Chasing 167, RCB got off to a slow start and lost early wickets in the powerplay. Virat Kohli was dismissed for a first-ball duck before Devdutt Padikkal parished too, trying to score quickly in the powerplay. Deepak Chahar took two wickets in the powerplay for the visitors.

Krunal Pandya played a match-winning 73 to take RCB to important 2 points and the top of the table. Despite a valiant effort with the ball, MI failed to get a win to keep them in the hunt for the playoff spots. Earlier, Tilak Varma scored a half-century and stitched an important partnership with Naman Dhir to take MI to 166 in their 20 overs.

Having been set a target of 167, RCB won the last-ball thriller by two wickets, which kept their play-offs hopes alive while knocking out MI from the race for the knockouts.

(With PTI Input)