Why was India handed three byes after Virat Kohli was bowled off free-hit against Pakistan?
Controversy over 3 byes
Why was India handed three byes after Virat Kohli was bowled off free-hit against Pakistan?
The controversy left experts and fans wondering over some of umpire’s decisions on the field during high-pressure India vs Pakistan T20 World Cup 2022 clash on Sunday at the MCG in Australia.
The final over saw all the drama, a six being hit by Virat Kohli, wickets, no balls, byes, and what not. It was a complete package and every player and viewer went through a scary rollercoaster ride.
But what became a point of discussion was the byes that the umpire gave on the free-hit delivery. Mohammad Nawaz’s delivery knocked the stumps, but the ball deflected past the short third man, and Kohli and Dinesh Karthik ran three runs.
However, a dispute arose following a conversation between Pakistani players, Pak captain Babar Azam, and the umpire about whether the Indian team should be given the runs. As per what the commentators were heard saying during the scene, Babar appeared to want the delivery to be referred to as a “dead ball” because it struck the stumps.
But all the controversy was put to rest as the MCC laws of cricket proved that umpire’s decision was correct. Because the striker cannot be out-bowled for a free hit, the ball is still in play and all requirements under the Laws for Byes are met. As a result, the ball is not dead on hitting the stumps.
The MCC Laws of Cricket also state that a ball can only be declared dead when “it is finally settled in the hands of the wicketkeeper or of the bowler”, or when “a boundary is scored.”
Law also outlines several methods of declaring a ball dead, including circumstances in which the umpire has the final say. In situations like these when the ball hits the stumps, the umpire has the authority to declare a ball dead when “one or both bails fall from the striker’s wicket before the striker has had the opportunity of playing the ball.
Since there are only four dismissal methods permitted in free-hit — handling the ball, hitting it twice, blocking the field, and running out – India was given a bye because the ball was still in play. Before the ball was delivered, India required five runs to win off three balls, but the equation changed to two runs off two deliveries. On the subsequent delivery, Dinesh Karthik was stumped out, but Ashwin remained composed and helped India win with a high-angle stroke over mid-off on the final delivery.
News Input K.V.Raman
