The talking point from the yesterday afternoon game between Lucknow Super Giants and Sunrisers Hyderabad has little to do with the result. Instead, attention has shifted to an incident in the closing stages that has raised questions over awareness and application of the laws.
Boundary moment sparks debate
With LSG needing just one run from two balls at 156/5 in the 19.4 over, Rishabh Pant struck what looked like the winning shot. As the ball rolled towards the boundary rope, an unusual moment unfolded. Avesh Khan, positioned outside the field of play, appeared to make contact with the ball using his bat before it reached the rope.
The act did not draw any response during the match. The on-field umpires did not pick it up in real time, and play continued without interruption. It was only after the match, when footage began circulating widely, that the incident came into focus and entered discussion among viewers and analysts.
What the rule says
As per the Laws of Cricket, such an act can fall under unfair play. Law 20.1 allows the umpire to call a dead ball, while Law 41 deals with unfair conduct. If deemed a violation, the fielding side can be awarded five penalty runs.
Had SRH appealed and the umpires acted on it, the situation could have changed significantly. Instead of a one-run equation, LSG would have required six runs from two deliveries, altering the pressure and possibly the result.
Questions over awareness
The absence of an appeal has become a key point of discussion. Teams are expected to be aware of such scenarios, especially in tight finishes. The incident has led to debate among fans and analysts on whether SRH missed an opportunity to turn the game.
There has been no official comment from match officials so far, but the conversation continues. In a format where margins are small, moments like these often stay longer than the result itself.