In the IPL, players are often fined for aggressive behavior, on-field altercations, or misconduct. But Delhi Capitals pacer Mukesh Kumar found himself in trouble for none of those reasons. He didn’t fight, argue, or harm any player. Yet, the BCCI imposed a penalty on him — and the reason may surprise you.

Mukesh Kumar Fined for Damaging Equipment

During the match against Mumbai Indians, Mukesh Kumar was found guilty of damaging cricket equipment, which violates the IPL Code of Conduct (Level 1, Article 2.2). This section pertains to actions such as damaging clothing, gear, or making inappropriate comments related to match events. The IPL confirmed the incident in an official press release, stating that Mukesh accepted the charge, which led to a 10% deduction from his match fee.

No Video Evidence, But Player Accepted the Charge

Interestingly, the exact moment of misconduct wasn’t captured on camera or reported during the live broadcast, leaving fans puzzled. However, since Mukesh accepted responsibility, no further investigation or footage was required. Along with the fine, one demerit point was also added to his disciplinary record. In Level 1 offenses, the match referee’s decision is considered final.

Performance vs Mumbai Indians

As for his on-field performance, Mukesh had a mixed outing. He bowled his full quota of 4 overs, picking up 2 wickets (Will Jacks and Tilak Varma), but ended up conceding 48 runs. Later, during Delhi Capitals' batting innings, he was substituted as an Impact Player and replaced by KL Rahul.