Andy Flower and Virat Kohli (Photo: RCB video grab) NEW DELHI: Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s thrilling last-ball victory over Mumbai Indians came with an off-field setback as head coach Andy Flower was fined for breaching the IPL Code of Conduct during Sunday’s high-stakes clash.The IPL confirmed in an official statement that Flower was fined 15 percent of his relevant match fee for a Level 1 offense under Article 2.3 of the tournament’s code of conduct, which relates to “use of audible obscenity during a match”.The incident occurred during RCB’s tense chase at 17.2 when Flower reacted angrily to the fourth umpire following a controversial boundary decision involving Krunal Pandya.
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Rajat Patidar ponders RCB defeat, praises Devdutt PadikkalFacing Afghanistan spinner AM Ghazanfar, Krunal lifted the ball towards wide long-on where Mumbai Indians fielder Naman Dhir completed an acrobatic relay near the ropes. Dhir flicked the ball towards Tilak Varma as he crossed the boundary line, but Tilak failed to complete the catch and appeared to signal for a six, seemingly believing that Dhir had touched the boundary pads.Television footage later confirmed that Dhir avoided contact with the ropes. As Krunal, who appeared to be cramping, did not attempt a run-up, the delivery was eventually adjudged a dot.Flower was visibly frustrated by the confusion surrounding the decision and exchanged heated words with the fourth umpire. The IPL later said that the former Zimbabwe captain admitted to the offense and accepted the sanction imposed by match referee Amit Sharma.“Under Article 2.3, the offense includes the use of abusive, obscene and/or vulgar language audible to spectators or spectators,” the IPL statement added.Despite the drama, RCB kept their nerve to complete one of the most stunning victories of IPL 2026, edging Mumbai Indians by two wickets in a messy final. The win took RCB to the top of the points table and boosted their hopes of finishing in the top two spots.However, the defeat proved fatal for Mumbai Indians as the five-time champions became only the second team after Lucknow Super Giants to be eliminated from the play-offs.
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