Recommendation to impose fine on umpires in IPL (Photo-PTI)
Amazing matches are currently taking place in IPL 2026, but something is happening in these matches which MCC, the body that makes the rules of cricket, is not liking. MCC has observed that every match of IPL is taking longer than necessary. Some matches have dragged on for 4 hours, 22 minutes, on which MCC Head of Cricket Fraser Stewart has given a strong reaction. Fraser Stewart advised that fines should be imposed not only on the captains but also on the umpires.
What did MCC Chief say on the delay in IPL match?
MCC Chief said in Mumbai Cricket Association, ‘Umpires are allowing the match to slow down. I think it’s the umpire’s job to run the game. But when there are ads on every break and crores of people are watching, then you can understand why this cannot happen. MCC Chief said that there are enough rules but umpires do not enforce them strictly, hence almost every match is getting delayed. Stewart said that in this IPL he watched 6-7 overs in the second innings and he left from the stadium for the hotel. The surprising thing is that when he opened the TV in the hotel room, there were still five overs left.
impose fine on umpires
Fraser Stewart advised that if the match is delayed then the umpires should also be fined. At present only the captains have to pay the price. So far, five captains have been fined for slow over rate. In these, Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer has been fined twice. Apart from them, Hardik Pandya, Ajinkya Rahane, Shubman Gill, Rituraj Gaikwad have also been fined. Till now, five captains have paid a total of Rs 84 lakh for slow over rate.
