RCB's Suyash Sharma caused a hold-up during his side's IPL match against Rajasthan Royals on Thursday (April 24), after using his cap to pick the ball up. Should the opposition have been awarded five penalty runs for the action?
The incident took place after the end of the ninth over. As RCB's Krunal Pandya came on to bowl the tenth, he was asked to wait by the umpires, who conferred with each other in the middle before appearing to listen to communication from the third umpire via their earpieces.
Match 42, Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Rajasthan Royals
vs
- Ball by ball Over
RCB captain Rajat Patidar walked up to ask what the hold-up was about, but looked none the wiser as he stepped away from the conversation. Television replays soon confirmed, though, that the TV umpire had been examining what took place at the end of the previous over.
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The ball had been pushed to covers, and there was no run. However, as the ball was returned to the batter's end, it missed the stumps and the fielder at short third, Suyash Sharma backed it up. However, Suyash did so by bending down, sticking out his cap and collecting the ball in the headpiece.
Should RR have been awarded five penalty runs? Here's what the Laws say
According to article 28 of the IPL's Playing Conditions: "A fielder may field the ball with any part of his person (see paragraph 12 of Appendix A), except as in clause 28.2.1.2. However, he will be deemed to have fielded the ball illegally if, while the ball is in play he wilfully:
- 28.2.1.1 uses anything other than part of his person to field the ball.
- 28.2.1.2 extends his clothing with his hands and uses this to field the ball.
- 28.2.1.3 discards a piece of clothing, equipment or any other object which subsequently
makes contact with the ball."
The punishment for illegal fielding, as defined above, is five penalty runs to be awarded to the batting side.
In this case, there was no doubt that Suyash either contravened Article 28.2.1.2, or Article 28.2.1.3, by removing his cap and using it to field the ball. Former England captain Eoin Morgan, on commentary, also said, "If he hasn't called dead ball, that's not allowed, that's five penalty runs."
In the end, after reviewing the footage, the umpires chose not to apply a five-run penalty, presumably because the delivery had been deemed dead by the call of 'over' from one of the standing umpires, before Suyash picked the ball up with his cap.
The break in play seemed to work in RCB's favour though, as Krunal struck immediately after play resumed, dismissing Riyan Parag.
Image credit: JioHotstar
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