Star all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja was part of a controversial moment during the clash between Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals in match 61 of the ongoing edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, on May 12 (Sunday). He was dismissed for obstructing the field and this sparked a lot of controversy on social media. CSK batting coach Michael Hussey reacted to it and said he didn't see the delivery closely and he is not sure if it was a fair call or not.
Michael Hussey on Ravindra Jadeja's dismissal
During the 16th over of the second innings, Avesh Khan bowled a delivery and Ravindra Jadeja played it towards the third man. He took one run and was eager to go for the second. However, Ruturaj Gaikwad stopped him but he was almost at the half pitch. Sanju Samson threw the ball toward the wickets but Jadeja got hit and immediately the RR skipper appealed. Umpires found that Jadeja's moment did obstruct the field and he was declared out.
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"Well, I have only had time to have a quick look at it during the game. I didn't have a close look at it. He did try and turn around, so I guess that's changing the angle. But he didn't try and change angle while he was running back. I can see both sides of the story. I can see a story where he had to turn around, so he changed his angle a little bit. But he didn't try and change direction while he was running back. I can understand, the umpire has made his decision. The rule says you can't change your direction. Maybe it was a fair call. I am not sure," Michael Hussey said at the press conference after the match.
However, this moment was more of a blip in the match for CSK later on as they picked up a crucial 5-wicket win against RR to jump to the third spot in the points table. They will now be competing against RCB in their final match of the league stage but it is a crucial game as losing this match can potentially throw them out of the top four.
What happens under the rules if a batter gets out in such fashion?
37.1.1 - "Either batter is out Obstructing the field if, except in the circumstances of 37.2, and while the ball is in play, he/she wilfully attempts to obstruct or distract the fielding side by word or action. See also Law 34 (Hit the ball twice)."
37.1.2 - "The striker is out Obstructing the field if, except in the circumstances of 37.2, in the act of receiving a ball delivered by the bowler, he/she wilfully strikes the ball with a hand not holding the bat. This will apply whether it is the first strike or a second or subsequent strike. The act of receiving the ball shall extend both to playing at the ball and to striking the ball more than once in defence of his/her wicket."
37.1.3 - "This Law will apply whether or not No ball is called."
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