Maxwell fined for breaching IPL code of conduct

Glenn Maxwell has been fined 25% of his match fee for breaching the IPL code of conduct during Kings XI Punjab's match against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Saturday. Maxwell admitted to the Level 1 offence of breaching Article 2.1.2, which pertains to "abuse of cricket equipment or clothing, ground equipment or fixtures and fittings during a match".

The statement released by the IPL did not detail Maxwell's offence. According to the code of conduct, "Article 2.1.2 includes any action(s) outside the course of normal cricket actions, such as hitting or kicking the wickets and any action(s) which intentionally or negligently results in damage to the advertising boards, boundary fences, dressing room doors, mirrors, windows and other fixtures and fittings."

Shaun Marsh admitted to the same violation in the same game, but he escaped a fine, and was only given an official warning.

Mohit's secret to slog-overs success

Mohit Sharma has been Kings XI Punjab's most successful bowler this season with seven wickets at an average of 20.57. His economy rate of 7.64 is excellent too, given that he usually bowls in the slog overs. Much of his success is down to his trademark back-of-the-hand slower ball.

Speaking to iplt20.com, Mohit said he factors in conditions when deciding how often to bowl the slower ball. "If the wicket is slow then you can bowl the slower balls because then the batsman doesn't get pace [to use] and so it is not easy to hit that ball," he said. "But if the wicket is good your slower ball doesn't work and you would have to use your yorkers. You have to mix-up your deliveries."

Mohit said he closely simulates the closing stages of T20 games while bowling in the nets.

"During practice, while bowling the last 12 balls for slog overs, we bowl six slower balls with variations and then six balls we aim to bowl yorkers and then six balls as wide yorkers. So that consistency of bowling the one ball will be there so that helps in the match because you have been bowling just ball over and over again."