Gautam Gambhir, Manoj Tiwary fined for on-field altercation at Ranji Trophy match

New Delhi: Delhi captain Gautam Gambhir was fined 70 per cent of his match fees while his Bengal counterpart Manoj Tiwary copped a penalty of 40 per cent for their on-field altercation during the third day of the Ranji Trophy match between the two teams on Saturday.

"The match referee (Valmik Buch) called me and informed that Manoj has been docked 40 percent of his match fees as he also got into the argument. The match referee told me that rules specify that he will have to fine Manoj. Gautam Gambhir has been penalised 70 percent of his match fees. There is no further hearing and no match ban has been imposed on either of them," Bengal team manager Sameer Dasgupta told PTI today.

Dasgupta also informed that Tiwary did not have to personally appear for hearing as the match referee handed him the letter which contained the quantum of punishment.

Both Tiwary and Gambhir were summoned by the match referee Valmick Buch at the end of day's play, for their involvement in the unwarranted spat.

There were ugly scenes at the Feroz Shah Kotla ground as rival captains Gambhir and Tiwary nearly came to exchanging blows during the today.

The situation elevated to such an extent that K Srinath, the on-field umpire,

In fact, in an unprecedented ugly gesture, Gambhir even pushed umpire Srinath who was trying to prevent him from hitting Tiwary. Touching an umpire is a grave offence in cricket which could invite a ban.

The incident transpired in the eighth over when Partha Sarathi Bhattacharjee got out to Manan Sharmaand Tiwary came in to bat at No. 4 wearing a cap. Tiwary first took guard and was about to take strike, but he stopped the bowler and signalled to the dressing room for a helmet as a pacer was operating from the other end.

The Delhi players felt that it was a deliberate time wasting tactic. Manan Sharma ticked off Tiwary and he told him to lay off. All of a sudden, Gambhir, who was first slip got into the action and started abusing the Bengal skipper who then retaliated.

Suddenly all hell broke loose as Gambhir said: Shaam ko mil tujhe maroonga (Meet me in the evening, I will hit you). Shaam kya abhi bahar chal (Why wait till evening, lets go out and settle it now), Tiwary retorted.

It was then that umpire Srinath sprinted from the bowlers end.

Gambhir with his fists raised charged towards Tiwary, who was not ready to back down. Umpire Srinath intervened, but Gambhir to everyone's horror pushed the umpire trying to get him out of the way.

Manoj was then seen shouting at Gambhir, saying: Did I tell you anything? Why did you have to come in between?

Both Tiwary and Gambhir will be summoned by the match referee Valmick Buch at the end of day's play.

(With PTI inputs)