IPL 2020: Rashid Khan’s dismissal against CSK in Dubai raises doubts

Rashid Khan, the Afghanistan cricketer, was involved in a controversial dismissal in the match between the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. It happened in the penultimate over of the Sunrisers’ run-chase when the right-hander was looking ominous, scoring 14 runs off a mere seven deliveries.

SRH needed 22 runs off seven balls with Shardul Thakur, being the bowler. Off the last ball, Rashid tried to go for a big shot but holed out to Deepak Chahar down the ground. However, while he was playing the shot, his left-leg crashed into the stumps, lighting the bails up. But Rashid was given out ‘hit-wicket’ when the dismissal should have been ‘caught’

Section 33.5 (Caught to take precedence) of the IPL match playing conditions read: “If the criteria of clause 33.1 are met and the striker is not out Bowled, then he is out Caught, even though a decision against either batsman for another method of dismissal would be justified.”

Here’s the video of Rashid Khan’s dismissal:

The Sunrisers, in the end, failed to chase down 168 and lost by 20 runs. It was also their second defeat after the one against the Rajasthan Royals (RR) on Sunday, October 11, at the same venue. Kane Williamson scored a gutsy half-century, but his efforts went in vain. Ravindra Jadeja became the Player of the Match for his short cameo and picking up Jonny Bairstow’s wicket.

Apart from Rashid’s controversy, another bizarre incident took place in the same innings. Umpire Paul Reiffel refrained from giving a wide when the ball was well outside the tramline. He was about to raise his arms but backed off from giving the wide. It was after Rashid missed a wide yorker from Thakur in the penultimate over.

SRH captain David Warner wasn’t happy from the dugout. Ian Bishop, the former West Indies cricketer, reckoned that Reiffel changed his mind after MS Dhoni, the CSK skipper, threw a stern look at him. Nevertheless, going by the laws, what Reiffel did was well within his rights.

Section 2.12 of the IPL match playing condition says: “Umpire’s decision: An umpire may alter any decision provided that such alteration is made promptly. This apart, an umpire’s decision, once made, is final.”