India batter Tilak Varma suffered a bizarre run-out during the third T20I against the West Indies at the Holkar Stadium in Indore. The dismissal occurred in the 17th over when Tilak and Axar Patel mistakenly believed that a shot played by the latter had reached the boundary, leaving the Indian pair vulnerable to an unexpected run-out.
West Indies spinner Gudakesh Motie bowled a full toss down the leg side, which Axar flicked away. The Indian batters initially completed a single before assuming that the ball had crossed the boundary for four runs. They stopped running and exchanged a fist bump, believing there was no need to continue the play.
However, the West Indies fielders remained alert. Wicketkeeper and captain Shai Hope collected the ball and attempted a run-out at his end before throwing it towards Motie. While Axar managed to return to his crease, Tilak was caught well short of his ground.
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The third umpire reviewed the incident and confirmed Tilak Varma’s dismissal. Axar could only manage a wry smile as the decision was announced, while India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir appeared visibly disappointed in the dugout.
Tilak’s dismissal brought back memories of a similar incident during the 2011 Trent Bridge Test between India and England. Ian Bell left his crease after believing that Eoin Morgan’s shot had reached the boundary.
Boundary-னு நினைச்சு Wicket-ஐ பறிகொடுத்துட்டாரு Tilak Varma🫠
📺 தொடர்ந்து காணுங்கள் | #INDvWI 👉 3rd T20I | JioHotstar & Star Sports 1 தமிழில்
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India’s fielders returned the ball while it was still in play and completed the run-out. Although the dismissal was legitimate, Indian captain MS Dhoni withdrew the appeal during the tea break, allowing Bell to resume his innings in a memorable display of sportsmanship.
A similar incident occurred during the 2018 Abu Dhabi Test between Pakistan and Australia. Pakistan batter Azhar Ali edged a delivery and walked towards the middle of the pitch to chat with Asad Shafiq, assuming the ball had reached the boundary.
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However, Australia’s Mitchell Starc stopped it just inside the rope and returned it to wicketkeeper Tim Paine, who removed the bails. With the ball still in play, Azhar was correctly given out. Tilak’s dismissal once again highlighted the importance of staying alert until the ball is declared dead.
