KKR's Varun Chakravarthy fined, handed demerit point for breaching IPL Code of Conduct

Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], May 8 (ANI): Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) spinner Varun Chakravarthy was fined 25 percent of his match fees and handed a demerit point followning breaching of the Indian Premier League (IPL) Code of Conduct during his side's match against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at the Eden Gardens on Wednesday, the league's official website reported.
The league's official website issued a media statement announcing the same. Notably, during the match, Varun was seen giving a send-off to Dewald Brevis, signalling with his index finger to go back after he dismissed the CSK batter.
"Varun Chakaravarthy, Bowler, Kolkata Knight Riders has been fined 25 per cent of his match fees and has also accumulated One Demerit Point for breaching the IPL Code of Conduct during his team's match against Chennai Super Kings at the Eden Gardens on Wednesday," said the media statement from IPL.
Varun admitted to the Level 1 offence under Article 2.5 and accepted the Match Referee's sanction.
For Level 1 breaches of the Code of Conduct, the Match Referee's decision is final and binding.
After winning the toss, KKR opted to bat first. A second wicket 58-run stand between skipper Ajinkya Rahane (48 in 33 balls, with four boundaries and two sixes) and Sunil Narine (26 in 17 balls, with four boundaries and a six) propelled KKR forward with a fine run-rate.
After that, knocks from Andre Russell (38 in 21 balls, with four boundaries and three sixes) and Manish Pandey (36* in 28 balls, with a four and six) helped KKR reach 179/6 in their 20 overs.
Noor Ahmed (4/31) topped the bowling charts for CSK while Anshul Kambhoj and Ravindra Jadeja got a piece each.
In the run-chase, CSK was reduced to 60/5 in 5.2 overs. A counter-attacking 51 from Dewald Brevis (in 25 balls, with four fours and four sixes) and his 67-run stand with Shivam Dube brought back some momentum to Men in Yellow. Dube (45 in 40 balls, with two fours and three sixes) continued being the aggressor in his 43-run partnership with skipper MS Dhoni, taking CSK to the brink of a win.
However, in a twist, Vaibhav Arora got both Dube and Noor Ahmed in the penultimate over, leaving CSK with eight to get in final over, with two wickets left.
Dhoni (17* in 18 balls, with a six) pulled off the finish fans wanted from him, tonking Andre Russell for a six on first ball of the final over and let Anshul hit the winning runs. CSK finished at 183/8 in 19.4 overs, getting their third win of the season.
Vaibhav Arora leaked runs, but was the pick of the bowlers for KKR with 3/48 in three overs. Varun Chakravarthy (2/18) and Harshit Rana (2/43) were also among the wicket-takers for KKR.
With three wins and nine losses, CSK still stays at the bottom of the points table. KKR currently has 11 points, with five wins, six losses and a no result in 12 matches. Their playoff chances have taken a serious hit as they sit at the sixth spot. (ANI)