Explained why Team India was granted three runs as a bye after Virat Kohli was bowled on a free hit during Ind vs Pak 2022 T20 World Cup match, know the no ball rules in cricket on a free hit
Team India began their world cup campaign with a stunning four-wicket victory over arch-rivals Pakistan in the 2022 T20 World Cup Super 12 game at the historic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
ICC No Ball Rules And Dead Ball Rule On Free Hit In Cricket After India vs Pakistan Match Is Marred By Controversy
Who else but him?! 👀
For mastering yet another chase, Virat Kohli is the @aramco POTM 🌟 pic.twitter.com/ExRAyOTZtl
— ICC (@ICC) October 23, 2022
However, the game had a contentious drama before Virat Kohli completed the run chase with his stunning unbeaten knock of 82 off 53 balls.
What caused the no-ball controversy in the IND vs PAK clash?
With only three balls remaining, India was thirteen runs short. Virat Kohli was on strike and Mohammad Nawaz bowled the waist-high full toss, which Virat Kohli hammered for a six over deep midwicket. Because the ball was waist-high, the umpires deemed it a no-ball, and Virat Kohli earned the free hit. The issue began after the free-hit ball was prolonged because of the wide ball, and Virat Kohli was bowled in free-hit delivery. The ball went into the third-man area after striking the stumps, allowing Kohli and Dinesh Kartik to run and get three bye runs.
Why was no ball not reviewed, then how can it not be a dead ball when Kohli was bowled on a free hit. #INDvPAK #T20worldcup22 pic.twitter.com/ZCti75oEbd
— Brad Hogg (@Brad_Hogg) October 23, 2022
The issue erupted when Pakistani captain Babar Azam and his squad were left perplexed, prompting a brief discussion with the umpires, who eventually ruled three bye runs in India’s favour. Soon after the incident, former cricketers such as Australia’s Brad Hogg and other Pakistani supporters expressed their unhappiness that a batsman dismissed off a free hit would result in a dead ball, preventing additional scoring off the same ball. But what about the rules?
Despite being bowled, is it possible for a batsman to run off a free-hit ball?
The ball turns dead when it eventually rests in the hands of the wicketkeeper or the bowler, according to the MCC’s Laws of Cricket (20,1,1, 20.1.1.2, 20.1.1.3). A batsman is out once a boundary is scored. The moment the incident that led to the dismissal occurred; the ball was deemed to be dead. India was given the bye while the ball was still in play since a free hit only permits four dismissal methods: handled the ball, hit the ball twice, blocked the field, and run out.
The ICC rule on the dead ball says: “20.1.1 The ball becomes dead when 20.1.1.1 it is finally settled in the hands of the wicket-keeper or of the bowler.
20.1.1.1 it is finally settled in the hands of the wicket-keeper or of the bowler.
20.1.1.2 a boundary is scored. See clause 19.7 (Runs scored from boundaries).
20.1.1.3 a batter is dismissed. The ball will be deemed to be dead from the instant of the incident causing the dismissal.”
Since a freehit allows four modes of dismissals – Handled the ball, Hit the ball twice, Obstructing the field and Run out – and bowled not being one of them, India was awarded the bye as the ball was still in play.