Indian Premier League is a complete package of entertainment and thrills. But on Friday, it was complete chaos when Delhi Capitals met Rajasthan Royals at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. The match brought tension to the faces of every spectator on the ground. It was a close game. But more than just a close game, the scenes in the final over of the match were unexpected. Former England skipper, Kevin Pietersen also believes that what happened at the DC camp was unexpected.
All this happened on the third ball of the final over. Needing 36 from the last over, Rovmen Powell hit the first three balls for sixes. But the third ball seemed to go over the waist line. That should have been called a no-ball. But that was not given a no-ball by the on-field umpires, Nitin Menon and Nikhil Patwardhan.
Just after hitting the ball for a six, Powell asked the umpires for the no-ball. DC skipper Rishabh Pant, Warner, and coach Shane Watson also looked shocked and confused that it was not given. But the on-field umpires stayed with their decision. However, annoyed by the call, Pant asked both Powell and Kuldeep to come back to the dugout until it was called a no-ball. The tension arose and Jos Buttler, who was fielding at the boundary, was seen indulging in a heated exchange with Pant. DC coaching staff member Pravin Amre also came running onto the field.
DC head coach Ricky Ponting was not available due to isolation as one of his family members returned positive for COVID-19. Pietersen, who is part of the English commentary panel, said on the show that more than the no-ball, the behavior of the DC skipper and staff members had disturbed the concentration of the players, and that was not at all acceptable. He also said that this kind of thing should not have happened. The former England skipper said that if Ricky Ponting had been there, it wouldn’t have happened.
Pietersen also pointed out that there are many incidents when batsmen are not given out when they kick the ball or are given out LBW when they are not out. Speaking openly, he said that whatever happened was not good for the cricket. Former England skipper added, “I don’t know who they think they are but that was a mistake, that was a huge, huge mistake.”
However, in the end, DC lost the match by 15 runs, but whatever happened on the field wasn’t right. Kevin Pietersen stated that coach Pravin running on the field was the biggest mistake, as he is a senior member. On the other hand, DC skipper Pant asked the batters to come back. That was not good in the gentlemen’s game, said Pietersen. He concluded saying that he hopes that he has never have to see that again in the game of cricket because that’s not why cricket is played.
In the first innings, Jos Buttler scored his third century of the season. He scored 116 runs and helped RR post the biggest total of the season, 222/2 in their 20 overs. Devdutt Padikkal scored 54 off 35 and skipper Sanju Samson 46* off 19 balls.