Explained: What is the 3m DRS lbw impact rule that Rohit Sharma hoped would save him during RCB review?
Rohit Sharma was not happy after being given out lbw on review against Royal Challengers Bangalore, with the Mumbai Indians captain sent on his way despite being well down the track when the ball hit his pad.
With Mumbai Indians chasing 200 to win, Rohit moved himself back up to his customary opening spot after an unsuccessful demotion in the previous game. While Ishan Kishan gave the hosts a fast start, Rohit was unable to get going and was on seven off eight balls when struck on the pad by Wanindu Hasaranga.
Rohit had come a long way down the track, and was given not out by the on-field umpires. However, Faf du Plessis opted to review, and UltraEdge indicated Rohit had not hit the ball. There was a wait for ball-tracking, which projected that the ball would have gone on to hit the stumps, and Rohit was sent on his way.
Rohit shook his head in disappointment on his way back to the dugout, delaying before making his way back up the dressing room. His displeasure may have been down to how far he was from the stumps when the ball made impact with the stumps, with a special DRS clause in play to deal with such instances.
Appendix D of the IPL Playing Conditions deals with DRS and umpire reviews. Clause 3.4.6.4 of Appendix D states that, where a not out decision is being reviewed, the ball can pitch in line or outside off, hit the batter in line with the stumps, and be projected to be hitting the stumps and the decision can remain not out in the following circumstances.
“Where the evidence shows that the ball was hitting, the point of first interception was in line, and the ball pitched in line or outside off, but that: the point of first interception was 300cm or more from the stump, or the point of first interception was more than 250cm but less than 300cm from the stumps and the distance between the point of pitching and the point of first interception was less than 40cm, the on-field decision shall stand (that is, Not out).”
As Rohit was given out on review, while he was far down the track, the three-metre threshold must not have been met to save him. An unlucky dismissal perhaps, but not an unjust one.
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