The disappointed DC skipper feels the ‘no ball’ could have been valuable for a team losing to RR in a dramatic match on Friday.
The disappointed DC skipper feels the ‘no ball’ could have been valuable for a team losing to RR in a dramatic match on Friday.
Delhi Capitals captain Rishabh Pant stood his ground to call back his batsmen after the umpires did not check a possible waist-high delivery. Dramatic final over of their IPL match against Rajasthan RoyalsHe said that he thought it was a no ball and the third umpire should have intervened.
With 36 runs needed in the final over, DC batsman Rovman Powell hit three consecutive sixes off Obed McCoy’s first three balls. DC needed 18 more from the last three deliveries.
At this juncture, Kuldeep Yadav, who was on the non-striker’s end, signaled to the umpires to demand that the final delivery be checked for possible no-balls at height. Powell also spoke to the umpires. The umpires put forth their stand saying that the delivery was valid.
Pant signaled Powell and Kuldeep to come out, though assistant coach Shane Watson tried to convince them. Another DC coaching staff member Pravin Amre went to the playground, but the umpires asked him to go back. The match, however, resumed after a long delay and DC suffered a 15-run defeat.
Royals opener Jos Buttler, who scored a match-winning 116, was also seen talking to Pant near the boundary line.
When asked about the incident in the post-match presentation, Pant said, “I thought no balls could be valuable for us. I thought we could have checked no balls, but it is not in my control.” .
“Yes, disappointed, but can’t do much about it. Everyone was disappointed because it wasn’t even close, so I thought it was just a no ball. Everyone on the field saw it.
“I think the third umpire should have intervened and said it was a no ball, but I guess I can’t change the rules myself.” Asked if it was okay to send a member of the team management to the field to argue about not bowling a no-ball, Pant said, “Obviously it was not right, but what happened to us is also not right. The heat of the moment, can’t do much about it.
“I think it was the fault of both sides, not just ours because we have seen some good umpiring throughout the tournament.”
Royals captain Sanju Samson said, “It was a six, it was a full toss and the umpire gave it a normal ball. But the batsman wanted it as a no ball.
“I think the umpire made his decision very clear and stuck to it.”