Picture Credit: X/IPL
The match between the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in IPL 2024 saw drama unfold in the middle. Earlier in the match, visiting captain Faf du Plessis won the toss and elected to field first. After inviting the KKR to put the score first on the board, the hosts posted 222 runs.
Later in pursuit of the 223-run target, RCB fell short by just one run and succumbed to a crushing defeat in a last ball thriller. For RCB, Virat Kohli’s wicket was the turning point, which followed with wickets of several other players in quick succession. However, Kohli’s wicket turned out to be a controversial point, pundits have come out to speak about it.
While Navjot Singh Sidhu made a bold remark, former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan also did not keep silent. However, Pathan minced no words as he stated that the wicket was a fair one. “BCCI has measured the body weight and waist height of each player in IPL 2024, so those data have been used here, so the technology can’t be so wrong and it was clear OUT,” Irfan Pathan said while speaking to Star Sports.
On the other hand, Mohammed Kaif had a different opinion to the stalwart’s dismissal. “It’s an unfair call. If the ball is waist high at the time bat meets the ball, it should ruled out as no ball. Also I have always felt that the ball tracking shows a sharper dip,” Md Kaif said.
Was Virat Kohli out?
However, a clear stance on Virat Kohli’s dismissal is yet to be made, but according to the ICC’s regulations, such dismissals are deemed unfair.
“Any delivery, which passes or would have passed, without pitching, above waist height of the striker standing upright at the popping crease, is to be deemed to be unfair, whether or not it is likely to inflict physical injury on the striker. If the bowler bowls such a delivery the umpire shall immediately call and signal No ball,” rule 41.7 of ICC regulations ‘Bowling of dangerous and unfair non-pitching deliveries’ states.