cricket

Updated: May 18, 2018 15:01 IST

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) bowler Tim Southee has received an official reprimand for breaching the Indian Premier League (IPL) code of conduct during his team’s clash against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Thursday evening. (RCB v SRH HIGHLIGHTS)

The move came after Southee, in a post-match chat, said that he felt he had taken a clean catch off Alex Hales during SRH’s chase. The incident he was referring to happened early on in the chase when the third umpire decided against sending Hales back to the pavilion despite replays showing Southee had taken the catch. (RCB v SRH SCORECARD)

“I thought that catch was taken cleanly, it looks a lot worse on TV but it’s the third umpire’s decision and in the end we won the game which was more important,” the Kiwi pacer had said after the game.

“Tim Southee, the Royal Challengers Bangalore bowler, was issued a reprimand during his team’s Indian Premier League (IPL) 2018 encounter against Sunrisers Hyderabad at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Thursday 17th May, 2018,” the IPL release said.

Southee admitted to the Level 1 offence under 2.1.8 of the IPL code of conduct for players and team officials and accepted the sanction.

READ | Royal Challengers Bangalore can’t always rely on Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers: Moeen Ali

For Level 1 breaches of the IPL code of conduct, the match referee’s decision is final and binding.

Tim Southee reprimanded by match referee Prakash Bhatt for saying in a post-match chat that "he felt the catch was taken." Why can’t the match referee have a chat with his colleague who takes wrong decisions despite luxury of replays? — Shashank Kishore (@captainshanky) May 18, 2018

After being asked to bat first, AB de Villiers (69), Moeen Ali (65), and Colin de Grandhomme (40) powered Bangalore to a herculean total of 218/6.

In reply, Sunrisers Hyderabad showcased why they have clinched the first spot on the IPL standings as skipper Kane Williamson (81) and Manish Pandey (62) contributed well with the bat in the second innings of the game.

However, SRH eventually failed to taste victory and slumped to a 14-run defeat despite their fightback, thanks to an incredible death bowling performance from Tim Southee.

The Virat Kohli-led side have now got a real chance of qualifying to the playoffs of the ongoing 11th edition of the league.

RCB will now square off with Rajasthan Royals at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium on Saturday in their next IPL clash.