Following Virat Kohli’s alleged fake fielding during a T20 World Cup match by Bangladesh, here is everything you need to know regarding the MCC’s fake fielding policy and the meaning of the rule in cricket
What exactly happened?
Fake Fielding Rule In Cricket Meaning Explained After Virat Kohli Controversy Video Goes Viral
#FakeFielding since when the quick reflexs started to be called as fake feilding…
It feels like picking reason to hide your failures back of that..similar like pointing an umbrella towards a tsunami#shameonbangladesh pic.twitter.com/exewvYJfHD— Surya Teja Reddy (@SuryaTe55086689) November 3, 2022
#FakeFielding #SAvsPAK 🤣😂😂😂
2 mins silence for those asking 5 runs penalty bcz of virat kohli. pic.twitter.com/oAiNZzEccB— Believe Creations (@BelieveKarthik) November 3, 2022
After on-field umpires appeared to overlook the Indian cricketer’s infraction during Wednesday night’s T20 World Cup victory against Bangladesh at Adelaide Oval, Virat Kohli has been accused of “fake fielding.” When Kohli pretended to be shy at the stumps during Bangladesh’s seventh over of the chase, the incident occurred. It went unreviewed because neither on-field umpires Marais Erasmus nor Chris Brown noticed it.
Defining the fake fielding rule
Law 41.5.1 stipulates that it is unfair for any fielder to purposefully try to mislead, deceive, or obstruct either batsman after the striker has received the ball. Had the umpires determined that Virat Kohli’s actions constituted deliberate deceit, India would have been assessed a five-run fine.
Has this rule resulted in any penalties?
The rules of the game were revised in 2017 to include all instances of “false fielding,” with Australian Marnus Labuschagne becoming the first player to face punishment under the new regulation. When Labuschagne prepared to throw from mid-off during the Queensland Bulls’ JLT One-Day Cup match against a Cricket Australia XI in Brisbane, he did not have the ball in his hand.
Then, in a tight match against South Africa last year, Pakistan was refused a false fielding penalty. Quinton de Kock, the wicketkeeper for South Africa, appeared to indicate that a throw from the deep was headed toward the bowler’s end as Fakhar Zaman was run out with Pakistan needing 31 runs to win off the final six.
When Aiden Markram threw the ball, it struck the stumps at the keeper’s end, catching Fakhar short of his crease since he thought the ball wasn’t going to his end.
Here is a list of all the rules.
Law 41.5: Distracting, misleading, or obstructing a batsman on purpose
41.5.1 In addition to violating Rule 41.4, it is unfair for any fielder to purposefully make an effort to confuse, deceive, or hinder either batsman after the striker has received the ball through words or deeds.
41.5.2 The decision of whether or not any distraction, deception, or obstruction is willful rests with either one of the umpires.
41.5.3 Either umpire must call and indicate Dead ball as soon as they believe a fielder has caused or attempted to cause a distraction, deception, or obstruction. They must also explain their decision to the other umpire.
41.5.4 Neither batting player will be out after that delivery. The umpires will evaluate whether or not a violation of Law 42 (Players’ conduct) has occurred if an obstruction involves physical contact.
41.5.5.1 If a violation of Law 42 (Players’ conduct) has occurred, they must follow the pertinent legal processes outlined in Law 42 as well as each of Articles 41.5.7 to 41.5.9.
41.5.5.2 They must follow each of 41.5.6 to 41.5.10 if they believe that Law 42 (Players’ behaviour) has not been broken.
41.5.6 The bowler’s end official must assign the batting team 5 penalty runs. As soon as it is practical, let the captain of the batting side know why the fielding side is taking this step.
41.5.7 The ball does not count against the number of overs.
41.5.8 All runs that were completed by the batters before the offence, as well as any runs granted to either side as a result of penalties, must be tallied. Furthermore, regardless of whether the batter had already crossed at the time of the offence, the run that was already underway must be scored.
41.5.9 The batsman at the wicket will choose who will take the following pitch.
41.5.10 The umpires must report the incident as soon as practicable after the game to the offending side’s executive and any applicable governing body. These parties will then decide what action to take against the captain, any other parties involved, and, if necessary, the team.