'Disappointed but can't do much' - Rishabh Pant on no-ball controversy in final over

The Match 34 of IPL 2022 between Delhi Capitals (DC) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) ended with a no-ball controversy in the final over of the innings. DC needed 36 off six balls to secure their fourth victory of the ongoing season. The Caribbean players, Rovman Powell (batter) and Obed McCoy (bowler) were up against each other for their respective teams. The first three balls were hit for three sixes, with the third delivery deemed to be doubtful due to the height.

The on-field umpires adjudged it as a legal delivery and had a clear stance on their decision, while DC team management went for an appeal as soon as the ball hit Powell’s bat and went for a maximum. There was chaos on the field as the assistant coach of DC, Pravin Amre, stepped on the field to call the batters back. However, the third umpire did not intervene and the match was curtailed for a few minutes. DC captain and wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant opened up about the no-ball controversy at the post-match presentation.

“I think they were bowling well throughout the game but in the end, Powell gave us a chance, I thought that no-ball could have been precious for us but it is not in my control. Yes, disappointed but can’t do much about it. Everyone was frustrated (in the dugout) that it was not even close, everyone on the ground saw that, I think the third umpire should have interfered and said it was a no-ball,” Pant said at the post-match presentation.

“Obviously, it wasn’t right (sending Amre onto the field) but what happened with us is also not right, it happened in the heat of the moment. It was the fault of both sides and it is disappointing as we have seen some good umpiring in the tournament. It is disappointing to go so close especially when the other team has scored 200+. I think we could have bowled much better. I can tell the guys to keep their chin up and prepare for the next one,” he added.

Rajasthan Royals secure a 15-run victory over the Delhi Capitals

After hitting sixes off the first three balls, Powell could not time the remaining ones and was dismissed in the last ball of the innings. For DC, Prithvi Shaw, David Warner, Rishabh Pant, and Lalit Yadav were the key contributors.

In the RR bowling unit, Prasidh Krishna emerged as the best performer with figures of 3/22 off four overs. Veteran spinner Ravi Ashwin picked up two wickets by giving away 32 runs. Earlier, Jos Buttler scored his third century of the season, and captain Sanju Samson’s knock of 46* off 19 balls helped the team to post a score of 222 runs. This win propelled RR to the top position in the points table.

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