Kolkata: A heated argument unfolded between Virat Kohli, the star batsman of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), and the on-field umpires during the IPL 2024 match against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on Sunday.
The incident occurred during the third over of the RCB innings when Kohli mishit a full-toss from KKR's fast bowler Harshit Rana straight back to the bowler. While KKR players celebrated what they believed was a legitimate dismissal, Kohli immediately called for a review, arguing that the ball was above his waist.
Replays of the delivery were inconclusive, showing the ball dipping towards the batsman. After reviewing the footage, third umpire Michael Gough ruled in favor of the bowler, deeming it a fair delivery due to the dip in height.
This decision left Kohli visibly upset, and he, along with RCB skipper Faf Du Plessis, engaged in a heated discussion with the umpires on the field. Kohli's frustration was evident as he made his way back to the dugout, clearly dissatisfied with the decision.
According to Law 41.7.1 of the ICC Playing Conditions, any delivery that passes or would have passed above waist height of the striker standing upright at the popping crease is to be deemed unfair. However, the third umpire's decision was based on the ball's trajectory, which indicated it would have ended up below Kohli's waist.
Despite Kohli's conviction that the ball was above waist height when it made contact with his bat, the replay suggested otherwise, supporting the umpire's call that it was a fair delivery.
The incident added a layer of drama to the match, underscoring the challenges faced by umpires and players in making and accepting decisions under pressure. While emotions ran high, it highlighted the unpredictable nature of cricket and the passion it evokes among players and fans alike.
Now, IPL's official TV broadcaster Star sports has issued statement on the controvery and wrote on X (Previously Twitter):
"Virat was indeed out as per the official rule book. The rule states that for a delivery to be considered a no ball, the ball must be at waist height as it crosses the stepping crease.
In Kohli's situation, while the ball was at waist height when he encountered it, as it crossed the stepping crease, it was below waist height, making it a fair delivery basis the official rule."
