The 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) kicked off with a spectacular opening ceremony at Kolkata’s iconic Eden Gardens, followed by an intense clash between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). While RCB emerged victorious with a dominant seven-wicket win, one of the most talked-about moments of the match involved KKR’s Sunil Narine and a rare ‘Hit Wicket’ appeal that left fans puzzled.
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During KKR’s innings, opener Sunil Narine accidentally hit the stumps with his bat after playing a delivery. Despite the bails being dislodged, the umpires dismissed RCB’s appeal, and Narine continued his innings, eventually scoring a quickfire 44 off 26 balls. Here’s why the West Indian all-rounder was not given out for ‘Hit Wicket’ despite the unusual incident.
The Incident: What Happened?
The incident occurred in the eighth over of KKR’s innings. RCB bowler Rasikh Dar Salam delivered a steep ball that was called a wide. However, as Narine completed his shot, his bat made contact with the stumps, dislodging the bails. RCB fielders immediately appealed for a ‘Hit Wicket’ dismissal, but the umpires ruled in favor of the batsman, allowing Narine to continue his innings.
Why Was Sunil Narine Not Given Out?
According to the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) Law 35.2, a batsman cannot be given out ‘Hit Wicket’ if the contact with the stumps occurs after completing the action of playing the ball, unless it falls under specific exceptions. Here’s a breakdown of the rule:
- Law 35.2: The striker is not out if the bat hits the stumps after completing any action related to receiving the delivery, except in the following scenarios:
- 35.1.1.2: The batsman is setting off for the first run immediately after playing or attempting to play the ball.
- 35.1.1.3: The batsman is not attempting to play the ball but starts running immediately after having the opportunity to do so.
- 35.1.1.4: The batsman is lawfully making a second or further stroke to guard their wicket under Law 34.3 (Ball lawfully struck more than once).
In Narine’s case, he did not attempt to take a run or make any additional strokes after playing the delivery. The ball was already deemed dead once it reached the wicketkeeper’s gloves, meaning his accidental contact with the stumps did not qualify as a ‘Hit Wicket’ dismissal.
Key Takeaways
- Timing Matters: For a ‘Hit Wicket’ dismissal, the contact with the stumps must occur during the act of playing the ball or while attempting a run.
- Dead Ball Rule: Once the ball is declared dead, any subsequent contact with the stumps by the batsman does not count as a dismissal.
- Umpire’s Discretion: The decision ultimately lies with the umpires, who must determine whether the batsman’s actions fall within the exceptions outlined in the MCC laws.
Conclusion
Sunil Narine’s lucky escape from a ‘Hit Wicket’ dismissal highlights the intricacies of cricket’s laws and the importance of timing in such decisions. While RCB’s appeal seemed justified at first glance, the umpires correctly applied the rules to allow Narine to continue his innings. This incident serves as a reminder of how even the smallest details in cricket can have a significant impact on the game’s outcome.
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