RCB’s Karthik, at the non-striker’s end, ran down the pitch for a quick single in the 13th over but had to return back after striker Shahbaz Ahmed opted against the run. Chahal, the bowler, had already collected the ball when Karthik was way down the track, and the batter, assuming he was well short, slowed down seemingly prepared to walk back to the pavilion.

However, what followed was truly bizarre. Chahal fumbled and dropped the ball close to the stumps, and as it was rolling away from him, he just about got his hands on top of the ball before he went on to break the stumps, almost in slow-motion. Chahal was left disappointed, thinking that he had dropped the ball and that the stumps had been broken only by his hand. Deep Dasgupta, on commentary, too was certain it was not out as he exclaimed, “I don’t think he got that one. A huge left-off.”

The on-field umpires referred the run out to the third umpire, and replays suggested that the ball had rolled into Chahal’s hands just as he was breaking the stumps, and Karthik had to walk back for a four-ball six, leaving RCB reeling at 72-6  in 12.4 overs. Pommie Mbangwa on commentary described the moment as “the biggest let off for a fielder ever.”

RR went on to win the game by 29 runs after posting 144-8 on the board, as RCB slumped to their second successive loss.

Watch Dinesh Karthik’s strange run out here:

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