Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) registered their third win of the ongoing IPL 2022 season as they defeated Mumbai Indians (MI) in Pune by 7 wickets. However, there was a controversy after Virat Kohli was given out LBW during the RCB’s chase of the 152-run target.
After a Suryakumar Yadav special of 68* helped MI put 151/6 on board in 20 overs from being reduced to 78/6 in the 14th over; RCB chased down the runs with efficiency as Anuj Rawat smashed 66 in 46 balls with 6 sixes and 2 fours, while Virat Kohli made a sublime 48 in 36 balls with 5 fours.
Kohli was looking good, but his innings ended on the 1st ball of the 19th over, as he was given out LBW on the bowling of MI rookie Dewald Brevis. Brevis, bowling his first ball in his IPL career, managed to get Kohli out LBW and the on-field umpire gave him out as well.
Virat Kohli opted for the DRS review. The third umpire after watching the replays felt that the ball hit the bat and pad simultaneously and that there wasn't enough evidence to overturn the on-field umpire's decision.
Hence the decision stood and a furious Kohli walked off the field in an animated fashion.
Here is the video of Kohli’s dismissal:
Meanwhile, there was a huge debate on this dismissal and now Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) has ignited the debate once again by sharing the MCC law about the Leg Before Wicket (LBW) decisions.
The MCC law 36.2.2 shared by RCB states: “If the ball makes contact with the striker’s person and bat simultaneously, this shall be considered as the ball having first touched the bat.”
By this definition, Kohli should have been given not out as it would have made the LBW dismissal ineligible.
Here is what RCB posted: “We were just reading through the MCC Laws of Cricket for LBW decisions, and here’s what we found. ???????? Unfortunate that Virat Kohli had to walk back disappointed after a brilliant knock.”
