Friday, March 29
       

IPL 2020: AB de Villiers bothered before batting, umpire called it a no-ball; What the law says here

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AB de Villiers. (Photo Source: Disney + Hotstar VIP)

The expulsion between SRH and RCB saw everything. SRH’s disciplined bowling effort and even the Royal Challengers’ star-studded batting order was demolished Moin ali Running-out on free hit. Interestingly, it was a no-ball thrown by Washington Sundar that raised eyebrows. However, it was a full legal delivery by Sundar, but the wicketkeeper was given a no-ball.

The off-spinner threw the ball outside the off-stump and Warner pushed it towards the cover area. However, the stumps at the striker’s end were upset and everyone was stunned. At first glance, Warner seemed to have hit the stumps with his bat, but later things became clear and it was a rare occurrence.

Here’s what happened:

AB de Villiers RCB were keeping wickets and as the ball struck the bat, de Villiers inadvertently upset the bails. He was standing on the stump as a stumper and trying to collect the ball, if it missed Warner’s bat, he got close enough to the stump and accidentally upset him. However, de Villiers apologized and admitted his mistake immediately but was given a no-ball.

Why it was given a no-ball:

As per the rules laid down by the MCC, the rule-making body of cricket, the wicketkeeper must be behind the wicket while the ball is being delivered by the bowler. It further states that until the stumps are passed, he should not disturb the batsman or equipment including the wicket or the batsman is not trying to take runs. As Warner was not scoring a single run and the ball was still in play, the umpires called it a no-ball.

Here’s the rule:

27.3 wicket-keeper position

27.3.1 The bowler shall remain completely behind the wicket at the end of the striker until the ball comes into play until the ball delivered by the bowler touches the bat or the person of the striker or crosses the wicket at the striker’s end. Or the striker attempts a run.

27.3.2 In the event of a wicketkeeper enforcing this law, the striker and umpire will not make calls and signals as soon as they are implemented after delivery of the ball.

Therefore, it was a perfect call from the umpires. The no-ball did not cost much for RCB as SRH scored just one run on a free hit. However, the decision attracted a lot of attention in this high voltage competition.