New Delhi : Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) captain Virat Kohli wants the introduction of a new rule in T20 cricket in the wake of the wide-ball controversy involving MS Dhoni in the clash between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in IPL 2020 on Tuesday. Kohli believes captains should have the power to review wide ball and waist-height no-ball calls from on-field umpires.
With extensive use of technology in modern-day cricket, IPL 2020 is already witnessing the use of the ‘Auto no-ball’ technology. The front-foot no balls are being monitored by the third umpire in the cash-rich league in order to minimise the errors committed by the on-field umpires. Kohli has now voiced for reviews of wide-ball and waist-height no-ball calls from the umpires.
At present, both teams have one review each in IPL and the DRS can be used to check LBWs, run-outs and caught behind dismissals among others. In conversation with Team India teammate KL Rahul during a promotional event organised by Puma, Kohli was asked to pick one rule he would like to change in T20 cricket. The RCB skipper voiced his opinion on having wide and no-ball reviews for the fielding captain.
“As a captain, I would like to have the ability to review wide or a waist-high full-toss. Because we’ve seen historically in high profile tournaments like IPL, these small things can be a big factor. If you lose the game by a run and are not able to review that one decision, it makes a massive difference,” Kohli told Rahul during the interaction.
Kohli’s comments come in the aftermath of a controversy involving Dhoni during CSK’s clash with SRH where on-field umpire Paul Reiffel was about to signal a wide in the 19th over of SRH’s chase but withdrew his decision midway after a furious CSK captain protested against his call. The replays showed it was clearly a wide from Thakur but SRH were denied an extra run and delivery as Reiffel didn’t stood his ground.
Fans on social media vented out their frustration over the umpire’s action with some even slamming Dhoni for his uncharacteristic reaction to the umpire’s signal.
While Kohli suggested a new rule empowering the captain to take review for wides and waist-height no balls, Rahul suggested he would like to see extra runs being awarded to a batsman for hitting a six of over 100 metres. “As a batsman, if someone hits a six over 100m, it should be given more runs,” said Rahul.
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) returned to winning ways with a win over Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) on Tuesday (October 13). With three wins and five defeats from eight matches, the Yellow Army is sitting at the sixth spot in the points table. A couple of wins here will see CSK move back into the top four while 2-3 defeats at this stage will rule them out of contention for a place in the Playoffs.
Hence, the ongoing week is a crucial one for the three-time champions. On Tuesday, they successfully defended a total of 167 to register their third win in UAE. However, CSK’s win was marred by controversy, courtesy MS Dhoni’s on-field actions.
Captain Dhoni once again lost his cool on the field and forced the umpire to reverse his ‘wide call’. The incident happened in the 19th over of SRH’s chase. Pacer Shardul Thakur was trying to keep the ball away from the batsman and had already delivered a wide. The right-arm pacer once again delivered a wide ball, which saw umpire Paul Riffel raising his arms to signal a wide.
However, Riffel quickly reversed his call after an angry Dhoni expressed his disappointment. The replays showed that it was a wide ball but the umpire could not do anything after Dhoni’s reaction.
The Twitterati was quick to slam Dhoni as this isn’t the first time where he questioned an umpire in IPL. Last year, an angry Dhoni had stormed on to the field during the league stage game against Rajasthan Royals to appeal for a no-ball call. He was fined for his actions.
It remains to be seen if the BCCI does take an action against the India legend this time. The fans were clearly not happy with the incident.
