Abhishek Sharma penalised for IPL code breach

Sunrisers Hyderabad all-rounder Abhishek Sharma has been fined 25 per cent of his match fee and handed one demerit point for breaching the Code of Conduct during their Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 clash against Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens on Thursday.

The match referee ruled that Abhishek violated Article 2.3 of the IPL Code of Conduct, which pertains to “the use of words commonly known and understood to be offensive, obscene and/or profane (in any language) and which can be heard by the spectators and/or the viewing public whether by way of the stump-microphone or otherwise. This conduct may include, for example, swearing in frustration at one’s own play or fortune.”

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“Abhishek Sharma, All-rounder, Sunrisers Hyderabad, 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 Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, on Thursday,” the IPL said in a statement.

Abhishek accepted the sanction without contest. “He admitted to the Level 1 offence under Article 2.3 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,” the statement added.

Despite the disciplinary action, Abhishek delivered an impressive performance with the bat, scoring a brisk 48 off 21 balls, including four sixes and four boundaries. During the innings, he also reached a milestone, becoming the first Indian to hit 100 sixes in the IPL for Sunrisers Hyderabad.