Virat Kohli’s dismissal in the match of IPL has created a lot of talks in and out of the cricket world. The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 has witnessed its fair share of controversies, but none as heated as the recent Virat Kohli dismissal during the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) vs. Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) match. The incident, which unfolded like a high-stakes drama, left fans and players alike questioning the decision. Star Sports, the official TV broadcaster of the IPL, has now stepped in to provide clarity on the matter.
Kohli’s frustration was evident as he trudged back to the pavilion. Even RCB captain Faf du Plessis expressed disbelief, discussing the incident with the umpire. The dismissal was a significant blow to RCB, but their progress remained on track thanks to brisk half-centuries from Will Jacks and Rajat Patidar.
Kohli committed a Level 1 offence under Article 2.8 of the IPL’s Code of Conduct,” an IPL statement said. He has admitted to the offense and accepted the Match Referee’s decision of his dismissal. IPL has also levied a hefty fine of a 50% match fee deduction on Kohli for engaging in a verbal altercation with the umpire which is an IPL code of conduct breach. Faf du Plessis was also fined 12 Lakh for maintaining a slow run rate. This season of IPL has witnessed lot of penalization for maintaining slow rate which started from Shubman Gill in his first match.
The Dismissal
In the 12th over of the RCB innings, Virat Kohli faced a full toss from KKR bowler Harshit Rana. The ball, seemingly above waist height, caught Kohli by surprise. As he attempted to defend, it popped off his bat, and Rana completed a straightforward caught-and-bowled dismissal. Kohli, visibly frustrated, turned to the square leg umpire and immediately called for a review.
What brewed the talks?
The controversy erupted when the third umpire, Michael Gough, confirmed that Kohli was indeed out. Fans, players, and cricket pundits debated whether the ball had been above waist height, a crucial factor in determining a no-ball. Kohli’s animated reaction and subsequent discussions with the umpires added fuel to the fire.
Star Sports’ Verdict
Amidst the chaos, Star Sports issued an official statement, emphasizing adherence to the rule book. According to the broadcaster, “Virat was indeed out as per the official rule book. The rule states that for a delivery to be considered a no-ball, the ball must be at waist height as it crosses the stepping crease.” In Kohli’s case, although the ball was above waist height when he encountered it, as it crossed the stepping crease, it fell below waist height, making it a fair delivery.
The Hawk-Eye technology, which tracks ball trajectories, played a crucial role in analyzing the dismissal. While the impact point indicated a waist-high delivery, the trajectory suggested that had Kohli remained inside his crease, the ball would not have exceeded waist height. This alignment with the rule book led to the decision against Kohli.
As the cricketing world continues to dissect the incident, Star Sports’ verdict stands firm. The broadcaster’s clarification reinforces the importance of adhering to the rules, even in the heat of the game. Whether fans agree or disagree, the Virat Kohli dismissal will remain etched in IPL 2024 history as a contentious moment that sparked debates and emotions.
Virat Kohli unleashes his anger
After the umpire, signaled Kohli out, Virat was seen speaking to him in an aggressive manner which resulted in an unnecessary spat. Post the final verdict of his dismissal, Kohli was seen walking out of the field in rage, he was seen swearing as he walked back to the pavilion. He was fuming on his way back to the pavilion when he thumbed his bat on the ground and also kicked the garbage bin.
Here’s how the other cricketers responded :
RCB skipper Faf du Plessis spoke on this dispute post the match where he stated, “Obviously, the rules are the rules. Virat and I at that stage thought that possibly the ball was higher than his waist. I guess they measure it on the popping crease… In those situations, you’ll always have one happy team and one team that doesn’t feel like it’s quite the right decision. But that’s just how the game works”.
Harbhajan, the ex-Indian cricketer explained, “When Virat Kohli got out, the ball was high. It was a slower delivery. There was a lot of debate about whether it should be deemed as no ball because the ball was above the waistline. Virat was standing outside the crease and when you are that far Hawkeye measures the waistline from the popping crease (the white line).”
Former India batsman Navjot Singh Sidhu slammed the call and asked for the “rules to be changed”. While ex-Indian bowler Irfan Pathan took to X and, “If Virat Kohli was standing at the popping crease the ball would have been lower than his measured waist height, making it a legal delivery”.
Mohammed Kaif also took to X to share his views on this controversy. He said, ” Virat’s decision yesterday was disappointing. Umpiring, in general, has been a letdown in IPL 2024″.
Virat’s decision yesterday was disappointing. Umpiring in general has been a let down in IPL 2024. #KKRvRCB #ViratKohli pic.twitter.com/Ng7SH4fENS
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) April 22, 2024
While on Instagram he said, “Clear unplayable beamer gets Kohli out and a ball that passed under Dhoni’s bat declared wide. Cameras, replays, technology but still such mistakes being made. Poor umpiring,”.
