IPL 2021: Sunil Gavaskar miffed after Dwayne Bravo’s no-ball controversy in the final over of DCvsCSK match

Former Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar came down hard on the umpires for not calling a no-ball in the final over of Chennai Super Kings’ match against Delhi Capitals on Monday, October 4 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. In the second ball of the over, Dwayne Bravo couldn’t execute a slower delivery properly and the ball landed a long way outside the pitch.

Law 61 (Area of the pitch) states that the umpire shall call a no-ball if the ball pitches wholly or partially off the pitch before reaching the line of the striker’s wicket. However, Anil Chaudhary, the on-field umpire, gave it a wide instead of calling a no-ball, much to Gavaskar’s surprise. Although the Capitals got two runs, they didn’t get a free hit in the next delivery.

The decision could have changed the game, says Sunil Gavaskar

Gavaskar was clear cut in saying that the decision could well have played a major role in deciding the fate of the encounter.

“That was clearly a no-ball. We’ve had a couple of decisions from TV umpires, which in these circumstances can make the difference between winning and losing, and that shouldn’t happen,” Gavaskar told on Star Sports.

“These kind of decisions should not change the game. It’s a good thing Delhi won, because that could have changed the game,” he added.

Capitals’ head coach Ricky Ponting also wasn’t happy with the umpire’s decision. The former Australian skipper signalled from the dugout that Bravo’s delivery should have been called a no-ball.

In the very next ball, Axar Patel got out as CSK held on to their hopes of winning the game. However, Shimron Hetmyer flicked the fourth ball of the over to fine leg for a four to seal the fate of the encounter. The Capitals, led by Rishabh Pant, won the game by three wickets with two balls left.

The victory meant that the Capitals have officially booked a berth for the Qualifier 1 on Sunday, October 10. The Super Kings, on the other hand, are yet to cement their spot in the top two as mathematically, they can still slip to third. Their last league game is against Punjab Kings.