Sreesanth loses 20% of match fee for dissent

Sreesanth, the Kings XI Punjab bowler, has been fined 20% of his match fee for showing dissent towards the umpire during the nine-wicket defeat to Rajasthan Royals in Jaipur.

The incident occurred in the third over of the chase after Sreesanth was no-balled off successive deliveries for overstepping. The free-hit that followed was slashed over point for four by the batsman Michael Lumb, who got a sarcastic round of applause from the bowler, who then turned towards the umpire and clapped to show his displeasure at the no-ball calls.

Sreesanth pleaded guilty to a Level 1 offence and match referee Srinivas Venkataraghavan fined him 20% (US$9000) of his match fee.

It has been a tough IPL for Sreesanth so far, struggling to hold down a regular place in the Punjab XI due to a series of expensive bowling spells. Wednesday was no different - his three overs being taken for 40 runs.

He has had plenty of disciplinary troubles in his career, both on the domestic circuit and internationally. It was only six months ago that the BCCI gave him a 'final warning' threatening him with suspension from domestic cricket in case of further violations of the Code of Conduct after a run-in with Dhawal Kulkarni during the Irani Cup.