Delhi Capitals (DC) skipper Rishabh Pant on Friday (22nd April) talked about the controversial last over against Rajasthan Royals (RR) in Match 34 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 in Mumbai. He believes that it was a no-ball and the third umpire should’ve intervened.
DC suffered a disappointing 15-run loss against RR. Their decision to bowl first didn’t work well for them as they were at the receiving end of thrashing at the hands of Jos Buttler. The English batter took DC bowlers to cleaners and smashed his third ton of the season.
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He was well-accompanied by Devdutt Padikkal, who scored 54 runs, and Sanju Samson, who scored 46* runs in just 19 balls to help their side post a gigantic total of 222 runs on the board.
Chasing the target, DC went off the flyer with David Warner (28) and Prithvi Shaw (37), scoring 43 runs for the opening partnership inside the 5 overs. However, after that, they came under pressure and kept losing wickets at regular intervals. Skipper Pant kept his side in the hunt with brisk 44 perished soon to Prasidh Krishna.
With 36 runs needed off the last over, Rovman Powell smashed Obed McCoy for three consecutive sixes. But after that, a controversy erupted as DC players felt that the third ball of the over was a no-ball for height.
Pant’s agony was quite visible as he asked Powell and Kuldeep Yadav to come back to the dugout. If this was not enough, assistant coach Pravin Amre also went on the field to have a word with the umpires.
After the incident, McCoy bowled brilliantly conceding just two runs along with the wicket of Rovman Powell to seal the match for RR.
Speaking at the post-match presentation, Rishabh Pant said that no-ball could’ve given them a real chance to win the match. He was disappointed and frustrated with the umpire’s call and felt that the third umpire should’ve intervened.
“I thought the no-ball could have been precious for us. I thought we could have checked that no-ball, but it’s not in my control. Yes, disappointed, but can’t do much about it. Everyone was frustrated because it was not even close, so I thought it was only a no-ball.
“Everyone on the ground saw that. I think the third umpire should have intervened in between and said it was a no-ball, but I can’t change the rule myself I guess,” Rishabh Pant said.
Talking about Praveen Amre’s decision to enter the field, Pant admitted that it wasn’t right as it was just the heat of the moment.
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He added that this loss would hurt them as they were close to the target. He wants his teammates to have their chin up and focus on the next game.
“Obviously it wasn’t right, but what happened with us was also not right. It was just the heat of the moment, can’t do much about it. I think it was the fault of both the sides, not even only for us because throughout the tournament we have seen some good umpiring.
“I thought we could have done pretty well from there I guess. It hurts more when you go so close, especially in a match when the other team has scored 220 runs, but I feel we could have bowled a little better. It’s part and parcel of the game. I can only tell them to have their chin up and prepare for the next one right now,” he said.
DC will next face Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on Thursday (28th April) at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
(ANI inputs)
