Obstruction call raises questions despite umpire’s verdict
The game turned on a controversial decision in the fifth over as Angkrish Raghuvanshi was given out obstructing the field. A mix-up with Cameron Green left him stranded mid-pitch before he turned back and dived. Mohammed Shami’s throw struck him as he tried to get in.
Replays suggested he was watching the ball, but the third umpire ruled that he had changed his line deliberately. Was that enough to justify the call? The decision followed the law, but it left room for debate. Raghuvanshi walked off frustrated, while Shane Watson and Abhishek Nayar in the Kolkata camp reacted strongly, clearly unhappy with how it was judged.
What the law says on obstruction
The law on obstructing the field centres on intent. A batter is out if they wilfully attempt to obstruct or distract the fielding side. In this case, the third umpire ruled that Raghuvanshi changed his line while watching the ball, and that was deemed enough to constitute obstruction.
It remains a judgement call. The batter had to turn back towards the crease, and the throw striking him complicates the picture. The key question is whether that movement was deliberate or simply part of the act of running. The umpire decided it was the former. By the letter of the law, the decision stands, even if it feels harsh in context.
KKR stumble early after being put in
Lucknow Super Giants won the toss and chose to bowl, and the call paid off early. Kolkata Knight Riders struggled to build any rhythm, losing wickets at regular intervals. Raghuvanshi’s dismissal made it worse, leaving them 27 for 3 inside five overs.
Cameron Green looked to settle but lacked support at the other end. The scoring rate stayed low, with Lucknow keeping tight lines and not allowing easy boundaries. KKR’s top order never recovered from the early damage, and the pressure kept building through the powerplay.
LSG bowlers keep control, Mohsin Khan disciplined
Lucknow’s bowlers stuck to simple plans and executed well. Prince Yadav made the breakthrough and was at the centre of the key moment, but it was the collective effort that stood out.
Mohsin Khan, in particular, kept things tight with disciplined lengths and minimal width on offer. He did not chase wickets but ensured the batters could not free their arms. The support from the rest of the attack meant KKR were constantly forced to take risks.
The early control from LSG set the tone, and with the controversial run-out adding to KKR’s problems, the balance of the game shifted firmly towards the bowling side.