Virat Kohli’s dismissal against Mumbai triggers controversy: Here is what MCC law states
Virat Kohli (image source : BCCI)
Bangalore played Mumbai in the 18th match of the Indian T20 League 2022 at the MCA Stadium in Pune. Bangalore won the match very comfortably by a margin of 7 wickets. Youngster Anuj Rawat (66 off 47) and Virat Kohli (48 off 36) were the architects who constructed the victory for the men in red.
However, the dismissal of Kohli in the 18th over of the Bangalore innings has triggered a controversy. It was Dewald Brevis’ first ball in Indian T20 League and the young man got the prized scalp of Virat on it. It was a length ball that slid through, but it appeared to have taken an inside edge onto the pads. The on-field umpire decided that it was out and Virat Kohli was furious with the decision. He was quick to refer it to the third umpire. If not a deflection, replays at least showed that the ball hit the bat and pad simultaneously. But the third umpire decided to retain the on-field decision given the fact that he had ‘No Conclusive evidence.’ Kohli was gutted by the decision as he missed a much-deserved half-century, but fortunately for Bangalore, the decision had no impact on the result of the game.
MCC Law
The decision did not go down well with the fans and experts alike. It gave rise to a debate regarding what should an umpire do when the ball hits the bat and the ball at the same time. As far as the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) laws are concerned, it states that the batter should be given the benefit of doubt on such occasions.
“In assessing point 36.1.3, if the ball makes contact with the striker’s person and bat simultaneously, this shall be considered as the ball having first touched the bat,”- states the law. So, as per as Kohli’s dismissal is concerned where the ball appeared to have hit the bat and the pad at the same time, he should have been given not out.
