Rishabh Pant, who is thought to be the future Indian captain, was involved in a controversy that was unbecoming of any leader. What Pant did wasn’t correct. Umpires are also humans and are bound to make mistakes. This was one such honest mistake. Let me try to analyse Pant’s action in what Pant did wasn’t correct.
In the ongoing IPL, Delhi Capitals required 36 runs of the last over for an unlikely victory. Rovman Powell clobbered McCoy for 3 consecutive sixes of the first, second and third deliveries. However, the third six was of a waist high full-toss. It must have been called a noball and as such, Delhi would have got one run and an additional delivery. However, the umpire Nitin Menon ruled that the ball wasn’t a waist high full-toss and refused to refer to the third umpire. It was an honest mistake on the part of the umpire. Yes, I can understand that at that point, Delhi would have entertained hopes of a miraculous victory. A no-ball would have given them a free hit but scoring 36 runs of one over does not happen that frequently. The odds were certainly against Delhi.
It was at this point, Pant called the batsmen back to the dugout.
Pant’s defense
“Yes, disappointed, but can’t do much about it. Everyone was frustrated because it was not even close, so I thought it was only a no ball. Everyone in the ground saw that,” Pant said at the post-match presentation.
“I think third umpire should have intervened in between and said it was a no ball, but I can’t change the rule myself I guess.”
Umpires decision in such cases must be accepted
It is normal practice to accept the decision of the umpire. Whether it was correct or wrong. A lot of decisions are nowadays taken away from the umpires. We have the third umpire referral for stumpings and runouts. Let us face it. Umpires are more likely to send the decision in such cases to the third umpire even when the batsman is a metre short of his crease. Also, the DRS is inplace. With the advent of the DRS, umpiring errors have reduced significantly. Hence, what happened on the field should have been accepted as it is but Pant chose otherwise. It shows that he hasn’t matured enough yet. It is too early for him to be handed over the Indian captaincy.
Atleast, the DC’s assistant coach, Shane Watson was quick to admit that it was wrong.
“In the end, Delhi Capitals don’t stand for what happened in the final over. The umpire’s decision, whether it’s right or wrong, we have to accept. Someone running onto the field. It’s not acceptable, we simply weren’t good enough.”
Delhi may like to believe that that decision swung the momentum against them and that they could have won the game but cricket does work like that.
The assistant coach didn’t cover himself with any glory
To make matters worse, Praveen Amre, had an argument with the umpires. Being the assistant coach, he must have led by example. Instead of fighting with the umpires, he must have told Pant in no uncertain terms that what Pant was suggesting, to call the players back, is against the spirit of the game and Pant is wrong to do so. The fact that he didn’t, does not show him in good light.
The punishment meted out to Pant, Shardul and Amre was too light in my opinion. Amre and Pant must have been banned for 5 games each because they are the coach and the captain. Shardul, perhaps for a lesser sentence. The coach and the captain must lead the way in how the game is played.
Mumbai Indians struggle
If you had told me before the start of the IPL 2022 that Mumbai will not win any of their first 8 games, I would have told you to see a doctor. There is no way, Mumbai Indians, of all the teams, remain without a win in 8 games but they have. This is unbelievable. They did get the combination wrong during the auction but that should not have stopped them from winning atleast one. Without the firepower of de Kock, the Pandya brothers and the inability of Ishan Kishan to justify his costly buy, Mumbai is really struggling this year. They are unlikely to go beyond the first round.
RCB is back to what the usually do best
Another team that is quite consistent is RCB. During the halfway stage, RCB would have usually won more than 50% of the games and then their slide will start. The same form continues in 2022 as well. The last 2 games, against KKR & RR was disastrous. The continued failure of Kohli, the struggle at the top of Faf & Rawat is having an impact. If not for Dinesh Karthik, they would have lost 2 more. RCB needs a drastic change. Perhaps, Faf & Kohli must bat in the middle order and openers must be found from the squad. Else, they can kiss the cup goodbye this year too.
Conclusion to what Pant did wasn’t correct
Pant must really control himself. He does not have to look elsewhere. All he need to do is to talk to his coach Ricky Ponting, who himself was involved in a few shenanigans and he changed himself from that.
What do you think about Pant’s behaviour? Do you think he was out of line in that instance? Let me know in the comments section.
Other IPL stories