The recent clash between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the IPL 2024 tournament sparked controversy with the dismissal of RCB’s former captain, Virat Kohli. Kohli’s frustration boiled over as he vehemently contested the decision made by the on-field umpires regarding a high full-toss delivery bowled by KKR’s Harshit Rana, which resulted in his dismissal.
The contentious incident occurred on the first ball of the third over when Rana delivered a high full-toss to Kohli, leading to a top edge from the batter and a subsequent catch by the bowler. The on-field umpires referred the decision to the third umpire to determine whether the delivery exceeded the waist-high no-ball limit. Despite Kohli’s protests, the TV umpire deemed the delivery fair, resulting in Kohli’s dismissal.
Kohli’s visibly displeased reaction towards the on-field umpires did not escape the attention of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), who swiftly took action against the RCB batsman. Kohli was fined 50% of his match fee for breaching the IPL Code of Conduct, reflecting the seriousness of his conduct during the match.
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“Mr. Virat Kohli, Batter, Royal Challengers Bangalore, has been fined 50 per cent of his match fees for breaching the IPL Code of Conduct during Match 36 of the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 against Kolkata Knight Riders at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata on April 21, 2024,” stated an official media release.
Virat Kohli’s visible unhappiness with being given out off a high full toss from Harshit Rana in #KKRvRCB has earned him a fine worth 50% of his match fees. #IPL2024 | https://t.co/6k8QKLhiyS pic.twitter.com/2XCJ4KtGXU
— Sportstar (@sportstarweb) April 22, 2024
The controversy surrounding Kohli’s dismissal has divided opinions among cricket experts. While some argue that the decision was fair, others criticize the umpire’s call, labeling it as unjust. Notably, former cricketers such as Harbhajan Singh and Irfan Pathan defended the umpire’s decision, asserting the legality of the delivery. Conversely, Navjot Singh Sidhu, Mohammad Kaif, and others criticized the decision, with Kaif branding it as a ‘bad’ call and suggesting that Kohli was dismissed on a beamer.
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“I understand that he was out of the crease, but he played the ball on his waist, that cannot be controlled. The batsman always looks down where the ball is pitching, no one is ready for this kind of a delivery, so it was one of the worst decisions by the umpire to adjudge Virat Kohli out,” expressed Mohammad Kaif, highlighting the contentious nature of the dismissal.
As the debate rages on, the incident serves as a reminder of the fine margins and intense scrutiny that characterize professional cricket, with every decision subject to scrutiny and debate.
