IPL 2024, Virat Kohli:
The current season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 has continued to be a tough one for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). On Sunday, April 21st, at Eden Gardens, they suffered a close defeat by Kolkata Knight Riders by a mere one run. This was RCB's sixth consecutive loss, leaving them at the bottom of the leaderboard.
Controversy Sparks Over Kohli's Dismissal
In this match, Virat Kohli was ousted in a highly controversial manner. In the third over, Harshith Rana bowled a high full toss on the first ball which Kohli struck. The timing wasn't perfect and the ball landed straight into Harshith's hands. Kohli believed the ball was above waist height, prompting him to review the decision using DRS. The third umpire, with the help of Hawk-Eye technology, found that though Kohli was ahead of the crease, the ball was dipping below waist height by the time it reached the popping crease, leading to the out decision. Kohli was visibly upset with the umpire while returning to the pavilion.
According to rule 41.7.1 of the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), 'any delivered ball that, without first touching the ground, passes above the waist height of the batsman standing upright at the popping crease is deemed illegal and is called a no-ball by the umpire.' However, in Kohli's instance, he was outside his crease and at the time the ball reached the popping crease, it was dipping below the waist height.
The third umpire used the Hawk-Eye system to make the decision. At the moment of impact with Kohli, he was standing outside of the crease. Had he been inside at his normal position, the ball would have been below the waist height of 1.04 meters. However, when Kohli played the ball outside his crease, the ball was indeed above his waist. The trajectory of the ball would have taken it to a height of 0.92 meters by the time it reached the popping crease, indicating that had Kohli been inside the crease, the ball would have been below his waist height.
Former Indian cricketers Navjot Singh Sidhu and Wasim Jaffer advocated for a change in the rules. Sidhu said, 'Justice means separating the milk from water. It's disheartening for both Virat and RCB. When you set a rule for the height, did you account for the batter's position? Or did you grant a seven-inch grace to their stature? That's the first point.'
Sidhu continued, 'The significant thing is that you've legalized an unfair delivery. In my days, if the ball slipped from the bowler's hand and came above the waist it was an immediate apology with both hands raised. What if someone steps out tomorrow and you hit the ball at their head, and you won't apologize? Are you legalizing an unfair delivery?'
'The third point is...when the ball hits his bat it's a good foot and a half above the waist, and he's six inches outside the crease. The ball dived two feet by the time it descended. The benefit of doubt should go to the batter when there is uncertainty. Rules are not only for changes but for improvements. We should re-evaluate this rule and consider changing it,' Sidhu remarked.
On the other hand, Jaffer told ESPN Cricinfo, 'The rules state that we should consider the popping crease's measurement. However, the batsman often bats forward and where the ball impacts should also be accounted for. Sometimes, the pitch plays slower and the batsman stands forward. If I were an umpire, I would have given it not out.'
