IPL 2025: Why was Sunil Narine not given out 'hit wicket'? Explained
Sunil Narine survived the hit wicket scare when he was batting on 18.
A dramatic moment took place during the IPL 2025 season opener between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at Eden Gardens, as Sunil Narine had a lucky escape from what seemed to be a hit-wicket dismissal. Despite the KKR all-rounder eventually being dismissed for 44 off 26 balls, the controversial incident put the RCB players questioning the decision.
During the 7th over, bowled by Rasikh Salam, Narine faced a sharp short delivery that he attempted to dodge away from. While doing so, his bat clipped the stumps, causing the bails to light up. However, the umpires signalled wide due to height and ruled him not out as the ball had already been collected by the wicketkeeper, Jitesh Sharma, and Narine had completed his action of playing the delivery.
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0Why was Sunil Narine not given hit wicket?
According to the MCC Laws of Cricket, a batter is out-hit wicket if they break their stumps in the course of playing the ball, starting for a run, or making a second hit to guard their wicket. However, a batter is not out if the stumps are broken after the shot has been played and the delivery is complete. Since Narine’s bat made contact with the stumps after the ball was safely in the wicketkeeper’s gloves, the umpires ruled it a non-dismissal under Law 35.2.
Meanwhile, RCB, led by newly-appointed captain Rajat Patidar, had won the toss and opted to bowl first. They got off to a dream start as Josh Hazlewood dismissed Quinton de Kock for just 4 in the very first over. However, the defending champions bounced back in style, thanks to a 25-ball half-century from captain Ajinkya Rahane and Narine’s 44 off 26 balls.
KKR reached 107/2 in 10 overs, with Rahane dismissed after adding 56 off 31 deliveries. The second-wicket partnership between Rahane and Narine of 103 runs in just 54 balls, got the side back in the game. The West Indian was dismissed by Rasikh's brilliant length ball that got an edge and went straight at the hands of the keeper.
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RCB’s bowlers found it tough to control the flow of runs, with Rasikh conceding 35 runs in his three overs despite getting Narine’s wicket. Josh Hazlewood was the only bowler who maintained control, picking up 1/8 in his two-over spell. However, Krunal Pandya displayed his class as he sent back both Rahane (56 off 31) and Venkatesh Iyer (6 off 7).
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