NEW DELHI: Emotions ran high as Delhi Capitals’ skipper, Rishabh Pant, found himself at odds with the on-field umpire during a gripping encounter between the Delhi and Lucknow Super Giants at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium on Friday.
The incident occurred during the fourth over of the match, with Ishant Sharma delivering a wayward ball down the leg side to Devdutt Padikkal. The umpire promptly signaled it as a wide, much to the chagrin of Pant and his team.
Pant’s dissatisfaction with the decision was evident as he engaged in a heated exchange with the umpire, culminating in a review being called by the Delhi Capitals. However, confusion ensued as replays confirmed the delivery as a wide, but Pant continued to express his frustration towards the umpire.
Initially, commentators speculated that Pant may have been reluctant to take the review, but subsequent replays showed the wicketkeeper signaling for the referral. Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar suggested that Pant’s gesture may have been directed towards a fielder seeking advice on whether to review.
However, clarity emerged from former cricketers Pommie Mbangwa and Deep Dasgupta, who revealed that Pant’s frustration stemmed from the lack of utilization of the snickometer to determine if there was an outside edge. Pant’s gestures towards the umpire, with gloves pressed against his ears, indicated his belief that there was a sound from the bat.
Despite the controversy, it was clarified that the on-field umpire’s decision was upheld, resulting in Delhi Capitals losing the review.
The drama on the field mirrored the intensity of the competition, showcasing the unpredictable nature of cricket and keeping fans on the edge of their seats until the very end.
