An apparently clear no-ball – a head-high full-toss from Isuru Udana to Kane Williamson – wasn’t called by the umpires during Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) IPL 2020 clash against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), which left quite a few former and current cricketers, along with the fans, surprised.
With SRH cruising at 73-2 in reply to RCB’s 120, Udana’s attempt at a slower ball in the 10th over went haywire as the ball ballooned its way to Williamson, almost head-high when it reached the SRH batsman, who pulled it for a single.
Fair delivery? 🤔#RCBvSRH | #IPL2020 pic.twitter.com/Ej9Fch6baI
— Wisden India (@WisdenIndia) October 31, 2020
But to everyone’s amazement, the signal never came from the umpires and Williamson was visibly confused with the call, raising his arms and turning to look questioningly at both on-field officials, but to no avail. It wasn’t just the SRH players; many cricketers were left bemused by the decision too, as were the on-air commentators.
“That will be an extra,” said Anjum Chopra as soon as the ball was bowled. “Should be called one. Williamson is unhappy.”
“I’m not sure whether the rule has changed at any time?” asked Kumar Sangakkara, rhetorically.
No this isn’t a no ball 🙄🤣🤣🤣 @IPL pic.twitter.com/XcD4Gl0tT1
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) October 31, 2020
I honestly can’t believe that was not given a no ball ! Like seriously !!!🤷♂️ #RCBvsSRH #IPL2020
— Yuvraj Singh (@YUVSTRONG12) October 31, 2020
No balls are head high now???
— Jimmy Neesham (@JimmyNeesh) October 31, 2020
Wakey wakey 🤪
— Mitchell McClenaghan (@Mitch_Savage) October 31, 2020
Noball ?
— Jofra Archer (@JofraArcher) October 31, 2020
Fans weren’t far behind in letting their displeasure known. And one of them even called for the third umpire to intervene.
This was way above waist height, not sure why umpire missed this No Ball. pic.twitter.com/lwrschfcKF
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) October 31, 2020
That was almost on the shoulder-high of Kane Williamson but the umpire didint call a no ball.
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) October 31, 2020
Why 3rd umpire is behaving like a ROBOT(action according to feed). No ball is no ball height or line doesnt matter. @ICC @BCCI @BCCIWomen @BCCIdomestic @SGanguly99 @JayShah @StarSportsIndia @virendersehwag @harbhajan_singh #RCBvsSRH #IPL #hardik #selectors #viratkohl
— ShareSingh (@ShareSingh9) October 31, 2020
Here’s the full video of the incident if you want to watch what exactly happened.
🤔#IPL2020pic.twitter.com/JAOEB25Ej8
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) October 31, 2020