Cricket is a gentleman’s game. This notion was an afterthought from the days of Lagaan. Now, international cricket may command a degree of respect from the competing players, but in a franchise league like the Indian Premier League, the competitiveness, rivalry and aggression is engaging and entertaining for the spectators.
Few days back Sunrisers Hyderabad bowling coach Muttiah Muralitharan called the league a “business”, driven by the need to keep audiences engaged and sponsors happy. However, that sentiment seemed to fade as Kyle Jamieson celebrated 15-year-old prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s goal with intensity, despite minimal provocation. The New Zealand fast bowler was cautioned for his conduct and given one demerit point.
The league last year introduced a point system for Code of Conduct violations that remains in effect for 36 months. Accumulating 4-7 points results in a one-match ban, with higher totals leading to longer bans.
“Kyle Jamieson, Bowler, Delhi Capitals, accumulated one Demerit Point and was cautioned for breaching Level 1 of the IPL Team Code of Conduct for Players and Officials during Match No. 43 against Rajasthan Royals (RR) at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur,” the IPL said in a statement.
They awarded one demerit point and warned Jamieson against this celebration.
So now you are not allowed to celebrate a big wicket in IPL? pic.twitter.com/FjvuduowMD— TukTuk Academy (@TukTuk_Academy) May 2, 2026
The incident occurred in the second over after Jamieson was hit by Sooryavanshi on the first ball for a boundary. On the next delivery, Jamieson responded with a sharp yorker that beat the youngster and hit the stumps.
Clearly pumped up after the release, Jamieson drove off in celebration, fixing his eyes on Sooryavanshi as he walked back, his intense gaze added to the edge of an early breakthrough.
“I don’t think I’ve ever been so scared of a 15-year-old in my life. But yeah, we did a bit of planning leading up to the game and it was nice that it paid off,” Jamieson said in an IPL post-match video.
IS THE PUNISHMENT JUSTIFIED?
The moment sparked debate on social media, with fans comparing the two Aggressive dismissal from Virat Kohli to Gujarat Titans skipper Shubman Gill after taking his catch to the shelter.
One user on X wrote: “So now bowlers aren’t even allowed to celebrate after taking a wicket? What kind of double standard is this?”
“Virat Kohli can celebrate, shout and show aggression without even taking a wicket and there is no penalty, no action, nothing. But the moment a bowler actually gets a wicket and celebrates, he is fined and slapped with bad points,” he added. Jamieson’s Sooryavanshi goal celebration penalty sparks debate on social media (Image from X)
Others bemoaned the sport for treating pitchers unfairly. “There is a reason why cricket as a sport can never develop to a global level. It treats bowlers like slaves, especially in the T20 format, whose only job is to get smashed by the batsman. They can’t even give wins after taking an imp. wicket,” he added. This is coupled with the batsmen scoring and easily chasing over 200 runs in the league, with the bowlers becoming an afterthought given the conditions the batsmen are also facing.
The debate continued to trend online, with one side claiming that Jamieson had done nothing but show competitive spirit, while others argued that franchise cricket required restraint and “a bit of class” on the field.
Virat Kohli will be next in action on May 7 when Royal Challengers Bengaluru travel to Lucknow to take on struggling Lucknow Super Giants, while Jamieson with DC will host Chennai Super Kings on May 5.
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Published on:
May 2, 2026 1:32 PM IST
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