MCC breaks silence on Angkrish Raghuvanshi's controversial dismissal against LSG

MCC has issued an explanation on Kolkata Knight Riders' (KKR) Angkrish Raghuvanshi's controversial dismissal in IPL 2026 clash against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), where the 21-year-old batter was given out for obstructing the field.

What actually happened?

The incident took place on the last ball of the fifth over in the first innings, when Angkrish Raghuvanshi played a shot towards mid-on and quickly ran for a single. However, his batting partner denied the single, which made Raghuvanshi go back towards the striker's end.

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In an attempt to return to the crease, the fielder fired a direct throw at the stumps. While going back, the young batter changed his running path and moved sideways across the pitch. The throw hit Raghuvanshi while he was diving.

LSG skipper Rishabh Pant was quick to appeal about the incident, calling it a deliberate act of changing direction to block the throw. After a series of rechecks, Raghuvanshi was given out in an attempt to obstruct the field.

Angkrish Raghuvanshi was disappointed with the dismissal, which sparked a controversy on social media.

MCC justifies the dismissal

Earlier today, the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) has issued a law clarification in the light of Angkrish Raghuvanshi's controversial dismissal, saying that the decision was not wrong as he clearly falls in the criteria of obstructing the field.

According to the Law 37.1.1, a batter is out Obstructing the Field if they "wilfully attempt to obstruct or distract the fielding side by word or action." That means that the obstruction must be deliberate, which can be hard to determine.

"A batter who changes direction while running, particularly one who changes direction to run on the pitch, or takes any other route that would not be the quickest way to the other end, is making a wilful act," the law states.

Suggestions from MCC

However, MCC has made a suggestion saying that if Raghuvanshi had started running down the leg side, then turned and returned to his ground on that same side before being hit by the ball, that would also see him being Not out - he would have been in the way, but not wilfully. It is the wilful crossing of the pitch that caused his downfall.