Sam Curran & Faf du Plessis fined for code of conduct breaches in RCB-KKR and PBKS-GT IPL 2024 clashes

Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) skippers Sam Curran and Faf du Plessis were fined for different code of conduct breaches in their respective outings against Gujarat Titans (GT) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on Sunday, April 21.

Faf was fined ₹12 lakh for his side's slow over rate during the one-run defeat to KKR at Eden Gardens. It was RCB's first such offense of the IPL 2024 season.

Meanwhile, Curran was fined 50 percent of his match fees under Article 2.8 of the IPL's Code of Conduct, referring to showing dissent at an umpire's decision against GT.

An official IPL release confirmed that the PBKS skipper admitted to the offense and accepted the penalty. Unfortunately, du Plessis and Curran also finished on the losing side of close finishes in a double whammy.

PBKS suffered their sixth defeat in eight games to remain second to bottom on the points table. On the other hand, du Plessis' RCB lost a sixth consecutive outing to find themselves at the bottom of the standings with a lone win in eight matches.

Curran and Faf remained upbeat despite tough losses

Despite being on the wrong side of close finishes that have both sides on the brink of elimination, Sam Curran and Faf du Plessis credited the players for their performances against GT and KKR on April 21.

Curran felt his side's batting let them down again as they scored just 142 in their 20 overs. However, the PBKS skipper praised the bowlers for their spirited comeback that made it a close finish before Rahul Tewatia's 18-ball 36 helped GT win by three wickets.

"I think so (we were 10-15 short). The effort with the ball was incredible, the commitment and fight was amazing, but it was not enough," said Curran at the post-match presentation.

The reverse was true for Faf and his side as they put on a show with the bat after conceding 222/6 to KKR in 20 overs.

After half-centuries from Will Jacks and Rajat Patidar, RCB kept themselves afloat and reduced the required equation to 3 from 2. However, a final ball run out meant they suffered a one-run defeat.

"The small things, I am actually proud of the boys tonight, the way we bowled and fielded, we did give away a couple of big overs towards the end, but I thought we kept them down to a par score. We thought we'll go hard in the batting powerplay, find those boundaries at the start of the innings. We were desperate, 10/10 from an effort perspective, the way we put up the effort in the ground, the faces told the story," said Faf du Plessis at the presentation.

With virtual must-win games from hereon till the end of the league stage, RCB and PBKS are in a tough spot in terms of playoff qualification.

RCB will take on SRH in their next outing on April 25, while PBKS takes on KKR the following day.