Watch: Faf du Plessis was distracted by a cat sitting atop the sightscreen during a bizarre IPL stoppage.

The game was halted for a couple of minutes, with the Royal Challengers Bangalore skipper seeing the funny side of the unusual incident.

The incident occurred before the fourth ball of the opening over of Royal Challengers Bangalore’s batting innings. Just a ball ago, du Plessis had struck a boundary and seemed intent on piling further misery on Harpreet Brar. Just as he took guard, though, he spotted a cat on the top of the sightscreen. He then signalled to the umpire that it was distracting him.

Harsha Bhogle, who was on commentary, joked about the situation, asking what the problem was if a black cat was sitting on top of a black sightscreen. Matthew Hayden, who was also present in the commentary box, chimed in saying, “That is superstition at its absolute best”.

The black cat didn’t bring du Plessis luck, however, only managing 10 runs off eight balls before being dismissed by Rishi Dhawan. Royal Challengers Bangalore, too, crumbled to a defeat, with their play-off fate no longer in their own hands.

Watch the humorous incident here:

Sign up to bet365 across the IPL, to be entered into a draw for the chance to win a Wisden poster of your choice, terms and conditions apply, more information here. 18+ begambleaware.org