A rare law that came into effect during the IPL game between Gujarat Titans and Royal Challengers caused confusion when a DRS review for caught-behind eventually led to a no-ball being called, with replays revealing that wicketkeeper Anuj Rawat had incorrectly completed a take behind the stumps.
Rawat, substituting for the unwell wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik, found himself in the middle of the action when Shubman Gill tried to cut spinner Shahbaz Ahmed to the off side during Titans’ innings. Sensing an edge when Rawat collected the ball, the Bangalore side went up in appeal, with umpire Virender Sharma raising his finger.
Gill immediately asked for a DRS review, with replays showing no spikes on the UltraEdge, forcing the on-field umpire to reverse his decision. As a bonus to the Titans, though, the TV umpire found that Rawat’s gloves were in front of the stumps before the ball had passed by, following which the delivery was called a no-ball.
Former skipper Virat Kohli appeared displeased by the decision, and was seen having a long discussion with the on-field umpires.
Simon Doull, on commentary, wasn’t too sure about the decision either: “I’m not sure I agree with this,” he said. “If the gloves go in front of the stumps, at any stage, is it a no-ball? I thought only just when the ball was taken. I thought the ball had to be taken behind the stumps. Might have to review that law. Clearly the ball was taken behind the stumps. There’s no issue with that. But because the point of the gloves had gone in front of the stumps at one stage, is that why it’s a no-ball?”
According to MCC’s Laws 27.3, “The wicket-keeper shall remain wholly behind the wicket at the striker’s end from the moment the ball comes into play until a ball delivered by the bowler touches the bat or person of the striker or passes the wicket at the striker’s end or the striker attempts a run. In the event of the wicket-keeper contravening this Law, the striker’s end umpire shall call and signal No ball as soon as applicable after the delivery of the ball.”
Rawat’s gloves were in front of the stumps before the ball had passed the wicket at the striker’s end. With Gill’s person or bat having made no contact with the ball before it fell into Rawat’s gloves, a no-ball was called.
The same clause is mentioned in IPL’s Playing Conditions as well, under clause 27.3.
Watch the incident here:
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