Kings XI Punjab co-owner displayed terrible conduct on field, says Mumbai Mirror report.
By Sreekanth A. Nair
In a serious blow to the Kings XI Punjab team that has failed to make an impact in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket tournament, team co-owner Preity Zinta lashed out at coach Sanjay Bangar on Monday after the team’s desperate loss to Royal Challengers Bangalore in Mohali.
Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) sneaked past Kings XI Punjab by one run in a nail-biting league encounter of the IPL at the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium, on Monday.
Chasing 175 put up by RCB, captain Murali Vijay led from the front with a brilliant 57-ball 89 supported by an unbeaten 34 from Marcus Stoinis, only to his team to fall short by a run.
According to a report in the Mumbai Mirror, Zinta was livid with Bangar’s batting order. Bangar sent Farhaan Behardien ahead of Axar Patel to bat when the team was on the verge of a victory. But Behardien failed to lead his team to victory and the team’s chase ended just one run away from victory.
Zinta thought that Axar Patel, who had scored a seven ball 21 in the last game against Kolkata Knight Riders could have won the match if he was sent to bat before Behardien.
According to Mumbai Mirror, Zinta stormed into the team dugout and lashed out at batting coach Bangar in the presence of players and team members. She reportedly called him by the ‘F’-word, used the ‘F’ word repeatedly and threatened to sack him.
“It was a long monologue with a four-letter being used liberally. Everybody was stunned as Preity repeatedly threatened to sack Sanjay. Nobody spoke a word. Sanjay cut a sorry figure which was sad because he was surrounded by young players and support staff he is supposed to lead. It was rather unbecoming of the team owner,” an eyewitness told Mumbai Mirror.
Zinta didn’t even attend the presentation ceremony and sent her mother instead.
“I left immediately after the match, but I don’t think there was any serious incident. Next day, both Sanjay and Preity met and all was normal between them,” Kings XI Punjab co-owner Mohit Burman was quoted as saying by Mumbai Mirror.
Zinta, who refused to make any comment on the issue till Wednesday, denied the reports that she threatened Bangar, on Thursday.
“A perfect example of how journalists lie blatantly and should be sued for defamation! For the record, I do have manners and I did go to school… I most definitely did not be disrespectful to our coach nor abuse anyone and definitely did not use the four letter word. Your story reeks of sexism and is incorrect and exaggerated beyond words,” she wrote on Facebook.
“I did speak to Veeru and Sanjay for exactly 20 seconds and asked why Axe did not bat after which I congratulated Virat Kohli and spoke to him briefly as he walked up to me. After which I proceeded to have a chat with Shane Watson and then left the ground with my husband and in-laws as we were in one car and I was disappointed,” she added.