Will MS Dhoni be banned from IPL 2023 Final? Here’s what wasting-time rule says

Chennai Super Kings’ skipper MS Dhoni got involved in an argument with the on-field umpires during IPL 2023 Qualifier 1 as they didn’t allow Matheesha Pathirana to bowl the 16th over of the CSK vs GT clash. There are speculations that Dhoni might get banned from the IPL 2023 final as he deliberately wasted time.

The incident took place in the 16th over of Gujarat Titans’ innings when umpires stopped Matheesha Pathirana from bowling as he was not on the field for some time. However, there’s no update on whether the umpires Chris Gaffaney and Anil Choudhary have reported against the CSK skipper. Dhoni can certainly be fined or banned if the charge is brought up to the referee.

Wasting Time Rule by ICC

Law 41.9 is related with time-wasting by the fielding side.

As per the Law 41.9.1, it is unfair for any fielder to waste time.

As per the Law 41.9.2 If either umpire considers that the progress of an over is unnecessarily slow, or time is being wasted in any other way, by the captain of the fielding side or by any other fielder, at the first instance the umpire concerned shall:

– if the ball is in play, call and signal Dead ball.
– inform the other umpire of what has occurred. The bowler’s end umpire shall then
– warn the captain of the fielding side, indicating that this is a first and final warning.
– inform the batters of what has occurred.

As per the Law 41.9.3, If either umpire considers that there is any further waste of time in that innings by any fielder, the umpire concerned shall:

– if the ball is in play, call and signal the Dead ball.

– inform the other umpire of what has occurred. The bowler’s end umpire shall then:

– either if the waste of time is not during an over, award 5 Penalty runs to the batting side and inform the captain of the fielding side of the reason for this action.

– the waste of time is during the course of an over, direct the captain of the fielding side.

Ideally, some other CSK bowler should have bowled the 16th over in the IPL 2023 Qualifier 1. However, MS Dhoni wasn’t given any warning during the game and eventually, Matheesha Pathirana bowled the over.

Chennai Super Kings will now face the winner of Qualifier 2 which will be played between Gujarat Titans and Mumbai Indians in the IPL 2023 Final.