IPL 2015: CSK vs MI - MS Dhoni fined after "horrible decision" comment

MS Dhoni

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) skipper MS Dhoni was fined 10% of his match fee by match referee Ranjan Madugalle after publicly criticising umpire Richard Illingworth’s decision to rule Dwayne Smith out leg before wicket during their 25-run defeat to Mumbai Indians in Qualifier 1 of the IPL on Tuesday. Chasing 188 for a place in the final, CSK got off to the worst possible start with Smith (0 off 4 balls) walking back to the pavilion in the very first over.

Replays, however, indicated that Smith was desperately unlucky to fall to Lasith Malinga as the ball was sliding well down the leg side. The two-time IPL champions eventually folded for a total of 162, giving the Rohit Sharma-led franchise a deserved victory.

Dhoni, understandably, was far from pleased with proceedings, making his disapproval of the Smith decision clear during the post-match presentation.

"We lost too many (wickets) in the middle, not to forget Dwayne Smith got a horrible decision to start off by any standards," Dhoni said.

"We need to blame ourselves we were not up to the mark, we need to lift our game and play more sensibly with the bat."

The 33-year-old was consequently sanctioned for "inappropriate public comment in relation to an umpire’s decision".

According to the official website of the IPL, Dhoni acknowledged the Level 1 offence under the IPL Code of Conduct for Players and Team Officials and accepted the punishment given by the match referee.

As a result of finishing in the top two of the IPL table, CSK have a second shot at reaching the final and await in Qualifier 2 the winner of the eliminator between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Rajasthan Royals in Pune today.