On Friday, the Rajasthan Royals (RR) kept their nerve to defeat the Delhi Capitals (DC) by 15 runs in an IPL 2022 match. RR restricted Rishabh Pant's men to 207/8 after scoring a phenomenal 222/2 in 20 overs; however, the game was marred by controversy during the last over, when the DC dugout was left dissatisfied by an umpiring decision.
Rovman Powell of DC smashed three consecutive sixes off the first three deliveries from Obed McCoy, requiring 36 off the final over.
Rovman Powell's third six came off a hip-high full-toss from Obed McCoy, but the DC camp demanded it is deemed a no-ball for height. Kuldeep Yadav, who was on the non-end, striker's began by signaling to the umpires to check for a probable no-ball on height.
Powell also joined in the conversation with the umpires. The umpires, on the other hand, stayed firm, claiming that the delivery was legal. After that, captain Rishabh Pant motioned for Powell and Kuldeep to leave the field, while DC assistant coach Pravin Amre was asked to enter the arena.
While several former cricketers chastised DC's behavior throughout the drama that happened in the last over, former South Africa captain Shaun Pollock said coach Amre was "forced" to run to the field.
“It wasn't the behavior that the game deserved, was it. At the backend, it looked like Pant was signaling the players to come off the field, which definitely at that stage, I would find unacceptable. Even the coach being sent on... I think Pravin Amre was probably not wanting to run on (to the field), but he was told he needed to go and have a word. It was uncalled for,” Pollock said on Cricbuzz.
“At the end of the day, we have to respect the umpire's decisions. There are a lot of decisions that are sent upstairs under the protocol. But on that occasion, it couldn't be sent because it wasn't a wicket. I just think they need to respect the umpire's decision.”
The former Proteas captain went on to connect yesterday's episode to controversies in other sports such as football and tennis.
"I think, when you watch a game of football or tennis, you think to yourself, 'those guys are behaving a bit iffy', and I think that was the case here,” said Pollock.
