Watch: A fielding violation prevented Texas Super Kings from dismissing Los Angeles Knight Riders’ Jaskaran Malhotra in the fifth over of the opening clash of the 2023 Major League Cricket.

Malhotra survived after TSK were found to have one fielder fewer than the required number in the 30-yard circle during the fourth ball of the fifth over of LAKR’s innings. During the first six overs of each innings in a T20 game, only two fielders are allowed outside the inner circle. TSK violated this clause and had three fielders outside the circle on the ball Malhotra was dismissed. He got a second chance, and the delivery was declared a no-ball instead.

TSK were in the driver’s seat after posting 181-6 in the first innings and then had their rivals on the mat, at 34-4 in four overs. Malhotra attempted to break the momentum with a four and a six off consecutive balls in the fifth over before Calvin Savage dismissed the batter on the fourth ball.

Malhotra played the length delivery with a flat bat to mid-on, where the fielder Rusty Theron latched on to an easy catch. Malhotra, however, immediately signalled that it was a no-ball, seemingly aware before the delivery itself that there was one fielder short of the inner circle.

The on-field umpires converged and signalled it a no-ball, as Malhotra survived, much to the frustration of TSK skipper Faf du Plessis.

The reprieve did not cost the Super Kings, as Malhotra added one more run to his tally, eventually falling for an 11-ball 22. Knight Riders were dismissed for 112 as Texas registered a mammoth 69-run win in the opener.

Watch the incident here:

Savage (Forgotte Rotten) bowls to Malhotra (Hookline Sinkers) who is caught out by Theron (Love Yas) but one of the fielders was out of position so it doesn't count.@JMWarehouse_ pic.twitter.com/KnuSyyvZVM

— Jomboy (@Jomboy_) July 14, 2023