NEW DELHI: Australia's retiring spin legend Shane Warne Thursday slammed the hefty fine handed to him during the IPL for a public spat with an official, saying he was paying the price for “telling the truth”. Warne, captain of Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League, was Wednesday fined $50,000 for his part in a row with Sanjay Dixit, secretary of Rajasthan Cricket Association, over the choice of wicket for a home game. “Not saddened about what happened at all,” Warne told CNN-IBN news channel. “I got fined for telling the truth. The incident was silly, petty and a bit immature. I won't let this spoil my IPL and the experience I've had.” The 41-year-old leg-spinner rowed with Dixit in front of the television cameras earlier this month over the selection of a new wicket for Rajasthan's home games which offered less turn for the spinners. He is set to play his last game as a professional cricketer Friday when Rajasthan take on Mumbai Indians in their final outing of this year's Twenty20 competition. Rajasthan, with seven defeats from 13 outings, are already out of contention for a place in the playoffs. Warne said he had no regrets about his bust-up with Dixit. Kolkata in IPL knockouts Skipper Gautam Gambhir cracked an unbeaten half-century as Kolkata Knight Riders thrashed Pune Warriors by seven wickets Thursday to book a place in the Indian Premier League playoffs. The left-hander hit seven fours in his 54-run knock off 46 balls as Kolkata overhauled a modest 119-run target with 20 balls to spare at the D.Y. Patil Stadium. Gambhir promoted himself to the opener's slot after Jacques Kallis picked up an injury while bowling earlier in the game, and anchored the innings following the first-over dismissal of Shreevats Goswami. Scores: Pune Warriors 118-7 in 20 overs (Yuvraj Singh 24; L. Balaji 2-7, Shakib Al Hasan 2-16, Yusuf Pathan 2-23) lost to Kolkata Knight Riders 119-3 in 16.4 overs (G. Gambhir 54 not out, Yusuf Pathan 29) by seven wickets.
