Royal Challengers Bangalore, all-rounder Shane Watson has been reprimanded on Monday for misconduct during the Indian Premier League (IPL) match against Delhi Daredevils. The Australian was found to be breaching the IPL Code of Conduct by “using offensive language” during the last match of IPL league stage in Raipur on Sunday.
“In the VIVO IPL match in Raipur last evening, Shane Watson of Royal Challengers Bangalore was reprimanded by the Match Referee for using language or a gesture which is deemed obscene, offensive or insulting during a match,” according to an IPL statement.
“Mr. Watson admitted to the level 1 offence (Article 2.1.4 of the IPL Code of Conduct for Players and Team Officials) and accepted the sanction. For Level 1 breaches of the IPL Code of Conduct, the Match Referee's decision is final and binding,” the statement continued.
Watson's side, RCB stormed into the playoffs of the IPL after winning their last four matches in the league stages. Although Watson has not got many chances with the bat, he has been one of the most consistent performers with the ball for the Bangalore franchise.
With the bat, Watson scored only 167 runs in 13 innings at an average of 15.18 and a strike rate of 140.33. This could, however, be attributed to the fact that he has not got enough opportunity to showcase his batting prowess with the RCB top-order in supreme form.
However, with the ball, Watson is the second highest wicket-taker for Bangalore with 16 wickets in 14 matches at an average of 24.68 and an economy rate of 8.14.
In spite of not getting enough chances with the bat, Watson's experience will come in handy when RCB play the first qualifier against table-toppers Gujarat Lions on May 24 in Bangalore. The RCB side looks the most dangerous side going by current form, with captain Virat Kohli scoring runs for fun.
Kohli has virtually dragged his side from an improbable qualifying situation to the top four of the IPL table. Needing four wins from four matches to qualify, RCB won all their games and finished second on the table.
Watson will be looking to put behind his ‘misconduct’ in the previous game and put in another good show for RCB and will be attempting to win his second IPL title after he won the first ever IPL with the now-defunct Rajasthan Royals.
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