GA Pratap Kumar Suspended!

The umpire GA Pratap Kumar officiating the match between Rajasthan Royals and Kolkata Knight Riders has been suspended for a match, declared IPL.

He was charged for listening to the player and taking a decision to go with the third umpire.

In the match, Ganguly was caught at deep mid wicket by Smith. The catch created doubt in the mind of Ganguly, who completed the run after hitting the ball, went to Pratap Kumar and asked him to refer to the third umpire Asad Rauf. Immediately, GA Pratap Kumar asked the third umpire. Either he should have done it on his own or left it as it is and taken a decision. He should not have listened to the player and allow them to rule the game.

The TV replay did not provide clear pictures and the third umpire was forced to go in favor of the batsman.

Ganguly and Warne were fined 10% of the match fee for forcing umpire to refer third umpire and for openly speaking and accusing respectively.

Warne Disppointed Over Ganguly's Behavior

Ganguly Hits Back!

Ganguly and Warne Fined!

Ganguly and Warne Fined!

After a spat between Kolkata Knight Rider's captain Ganguly and Rajastha Royals skipper Shane Warne, both the players were fined 10% of their match fee.

Both the players have agreed for paying the penalty.

Match umpire GA Pratap Kumar has been suspended for a match because he listened to Ganguly for checking for the third umpire.

Warne takes on Ganguly!

Ganguly Hits Back at Warne!

They both are not happy with the decision of the IPL, but accepted the decision and ready to pay the fine.

It was said that Ganguly was not available to comment on the decison taken by IPL to penalize 10% match fee. He was in the nets with the rest of the team practicing for the match ahead.

Both the teams have agreed to put the issue aside and focus on the game. The team spokes person said that they have agreed to pay the fine and wanted to forget the incident.

Ganguly was fined for violating the code of conduct by forcing the umpire to ask for third umpire, when he was caught at deep midwicket by Smith. His version of the story was, he did not ask the umpire GA Pratap Kumar to refer third umpire. All he said was, the catch was not cleanly taken.

Ganguly Hits Back at Warne!

When asked Ganguly about Warne's comments about his disappointment on Ganguly's late arrival to the pitch, which made Rajasthan Royals to wait in the hot sun for five minutes, Ganguly said, "Look who's talking. You know who has go into trouble so many times. The records will tell."

Warne was disappointed that Ganguly made his team wait for 5 minutes in the hot sun, and did not go out when Smith took the catch. Instead, he forced the umpire to ask for TV reply, which did not have clear pictures and hence third umpire went in favor of the batsman.

Click and read here on What Warne Said!

Warne Takes on Ganguly!

Shane Warne during the post match interview, said that, he was disappointed with Ganguly. He said, his team was waiting in the hot sun for five minutes waiting for Ganguly to arrive. He said, he was wasting time and wanted to take advantage of that.

He said, everyone agreed to play in the right spirit of the game, but he was disappointed that did not happen. He said, his team was waiting Ganguly to arrive and that caused delay of 5 minutes. Each team should complete their bowling in 80 minutes--an hour and twenty minutes.

He also said that Ganguly should have asked Smith whether he took the catch and walked out. He said that catch was taken cleanly though third umpire had another view. The replay was not clear and the third umpire went in favor of the batsman.

Warne mentioned that, Ganguly approached the umpire and forced him to ask the third umpire. This is against the rule as the batsman cannot force the umpire for decisions.

All this happened in the crucial encounter for Kolkata Knight Riders against Rajasthan Royals in Jaiper, which was comfortably won by Rajasthan Royals by 45 runs.

This is the fourth continous win for Rajasthan Royals and third continous defeat for Kolkata Knight Riders lead by Ganguly and owned by Sharukh Khan.

Click here to read what Ganguly had to say about it!

Afridi and Warne Exchange Words!

In the 9th match of the IPL between Hyderabad Deccan Chargers and Rajasthan Royals, Shaid Afridi and Warne exchanged some words.

Chasing a target of 215 in 20 overs, Afridi bagged 3 of the Royal Challengers wickets. When Warne was facing Afridi, the quick delivery was missed and Warne was beaten by the pace. Afridi said few words and Warne followed him to find out what he said.

The next ball also was no run and the last ball was sent to point boundary. Again few words were exchanged.

Not sure and no one understands the need for exchanging words! Just play your game and carry on with the spirit. This day may belong to others and some other day may be yours. So, why do you need to exchange unpleasant words and create a scene out of it.

The match was won by Rajasthan Royals and sure that Afridi would have felt why he did it. The last over required 17 runs and Shane Warne hit Symonds for a four and two sixes before the first two balls were scored 2 runs.

Warne finds no fault in preparing spinner friendly tracks!

Instead of cribbing about the turning tracks in India, visiting teams should learn to play on them as there is nothing wrong in the host side's insistence on having wickets that work to its advantage, feels Australian spin legend Shane Warne.

India drew the three-match Test series against South Africa 1-1 after winning the third match in Kanpur on a crumbling track that invited the Proteas' ire.

But Warne, who is in Jaipur to play in the Indian Premier League (IPL) for the Rajasthan Royals team, said visiting teams should come prepared for turners.

"I see nothing wrong in this. Every team visiting India expects such kind of wickets. Every team tries to take advantage of the home conditions and their strengths. I would love to have a spinning track right here if it suits Rajasthan Royals," Warne said on Monday.

"Don't the Indians have to play on hard and bouncy wickets in Australia or South Africa? That is the whole fun in cricket. You have to play on different kind of surfaces and have to prove yourself on them. It is a great challenge," he added.

In the past we have seen India struggle in Australia, especialy Pitches like Perth. Also, in West Indies and South Africa, the bouncy and pacy wickets have put India in the back foot. So, what is wrong in preparing a spinner friendly wicket and expect the team to play both pace and spin. Bad luck South Africa!