Watch: MS Dhoni, known for a usually calm demeanour, stormed out of the dugout during an IPL 2019 game after a contentious no-ball call, confronting the umpires in one of the tournament’s most controversial moments.
Subscribe to the Wisden Cricket YouTube channel for post-match awards, player interviews, analysis and much more.
Off the third delivery of CSK’s innings against Rajasthan Royals, with eight needed off the last three deliveries to chase 155, Mitchell Santner received a beamer from Ben Stokes. Ulhas Gandhe, the umpire, signalled a no-ball, but leg-umpire Bruce Oxenford clarified from his position that it wasn’t one, prompting Ravindra Jadeja, the non-striker, to engage in a heated exchange with the two officials.
By then, CSK skipper MS Dhoni was already at the edge of the boundary ropes, yelling from the sidelines as the drama unfolded. Clearly unhappy with how Gandhe’s no-ball signal had been reversed once already given, he crossed the ropes and walked into the playing area, ambling into the field even as Jadeja continued his conversation with the umpires.
“Hang on, Dhoni’s come here. Can’t say I have seen this,” said Danny Morrison on commentary as the former India skipper casually strolled out, shouting at the umpires as he approached them and pointing out to Oxenford that his colleague had already signalled a no-ball.
Stokes, Steve Smith and Ajinkya Rahane then entered the conversation, trying to sort out the situation. After a minute-long worth of drama, Dhoni walked off, still angry at the turn of events.
As it turned out, Mitchell Santner’s last-ball six sealed the game for CSK. Dhoni was fined 50 per cent of his match fee for the outburst.
Watch the entire drama here: