Apart from Punjab Kings (PBKS) batters’ dominance over Rajasthan Royals (RR) bowlers, the fourth game of IPL 2021 caught the limelight for Riyan Parag’s bowling action.

During the 10th over of Punjab’s innings, Parag went as low as legally allowed in cricket to release a ball while bowling to Chris Gayle.

His action raised eyebrows as the umpire was seen having a word with Parag, probably telling him that he cannot go any lower than that.

The commentators were also left astounded and wondered if Parag should be allowed to bowl in that way.

“How low is a legal sidearm delivery? Underarm deliveries are not allowed any more, as the Australians know well,” Harsha Bhogle said on-air.

Former Australia cricketer-turned-commentator Michael Slater said that Parag seemed to have “got away with it”.

Interestingly, Riyan Parag tried all sorts of variations in that over. He started with leg-spin followed by the round-arm delivery and then switched to off-spin, which got rid of Gayle (40 off 28 balls).

Notably, the slow sidearm bowling has been very effectively used by India’s Kedar Jadhav in international cricket but as the commentators pointed out, Parag’s sidearm delivery was released from a much lower height than Jadhav’s delivery.

Coming to the match, PBKS piled up a massive 221/6 in 20 overs on the back of skipper KL Rahul’s 50-ball 91. Deepak Hooda also played a dazzling knock of 28-ball 64.