The 25th match of the Big Bash League (BBL) 2022-23 between Brisbane Heat and Sydney Sixers hogged the headlines for a controversial catch.

Brisbane Heat pacer Micheal Neser took the catch to dismiss Sydney Sixers batter Jordan Silk outside the boundary ropes, causing a debate across the cricketing world.

In an unusual scene witnessed in the game, Neser first caught the ball inside the ropes before releasing it in the air as he stepped over. As he remained outside the ropes, Neser jumped while catching the ball and threw it up once more before eventually grabbing it by coming inside the boundary cushion.

According to the MCC Law, 19.5.2 states: “A fielder who is not in contact with the ground is considered to be grounded beyond the boundary if his/her final contact with the ground, before his/her first contact with the ball after it has been delivered by the bowler, was not entirely within the boundary.”

According to 19.4.2 MCC Law: “The ball in play is to be regarded as being grounded beyond the boundary if a fielder, grounded beyond the boundary as in 19.5, touches the ball; a fielder, after catching the ball within the boundary, becomes grounded beyond the boundary while in contact with the ball, before completing the catch.”

Additionally, according to Law 33.2.1: "A catch will be fair only if, in every case either the ball, at any time or any fielder in contact with the ball, is not grounded beyond the boundary before the catch is completed. Note Laws 19.4 (Ball grounded beyond the boundary) and 19.5 (Fielder grounded beyond the boundary)."

While this was a brilliant effort from the fielder and the batter was given out, many fans questioned the manner of dismissal and also the rules framed while quite a few of them felt the right call was made.

Here are the reactions: