Kolkata Knight Riders' spinner Sunil Narine was reported for a suspect bowling action by the on-field umpires during the 24th IPL 2020 match against Kings XI Punjab.
However, the West Indian all-rounder is allowed to bowl in the ongoing IPL 2020, but is likely to be barred from bowling if he is reported one more time for his action in the ongoing tournament in the UAE.
Following the incident, former BCCI Treasurer Anirudh Chaudhry – first chairman of the Data Management Committee of the Indian cricket board has called for the use of Artificial Intelligence in such cases to enhance “the fairness quotient of the game.”
Chaudhry told ANI: “The need of the hour is to explore the usage of Artificial Intelligence in conjunction with the broadcast feed to know the angle of extension of the bowling arm in real-time for every delivery. In addition to this, it is high time to revisit the balance between the on-ground umpires and the third umpire to ensure greater consistency of accurate decisions.”
He further explained, “All this would just enhance the fairness quotient of the game. To be honest this entire situation of disallowing, then allowing and then disallowing someone is quite bizarre. The IPL authorities are doing their job well and playing by the book and that is commendable. However, for a player and the fans, it's like a ping pong back and forth. Let's not focus on Narine here but on the processes that are in place because a player is only following the process that exists.”
Read Also: IPL 2020: KKR left surprised after Sunil Narine gets reported for suspect action again
The ANI has reported that three IPL franchisees have told them it was time umpires started calling no-balls on the ground itself as that would help in ensuring that the outcome of the game is not affected in any circumstance in the ongoing T20 league.
An official of one of the franchises: “We have seen quite a few bowlers called for suspect action. They have worked on their action and come back. Some have managed to correct their action while others have been called again and undergone further biomechanic tests. But the point is, do these things help in overturning the outcome of the game?
What if the bowler who was reported bowled three dot balls out of the say four balls suspected to be bowled with an illegal action? The batting team will never get three free hits and that could mean taking fairness out of the equation.”
He signed off by saying, “The way forward is for the on-field umpire to immediately call a no-ball if he feels that the delivery was suspect. Only then will it work towards fairness. Also, the biomechanic sessions a bowler undergoes after being called for suspect action is never similar to a match situation wherein the opposition batsman is looking to score maximum runs from every ball.”
(With ANI Inputs)
