The recently concluded match between Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bengaluru at Eden Gardens witnessed a huge controversy due to the dismissal of Virat Kohli.
The former RCB captain came out firing as he raced to 18 runs in just six balls with the help of two sixes and a four. However, he could not hold on for long as his knock came to an end on the first ball of the third over when Harshit Rana caught his own bowling to give KKR a breakthrough.
It was a high full delivery from Rana and Virat Kohli missed his shot straight at the bowler. As soon as the referee raised his finger, Virat Kohli decided to review it for off-ball. The right-handed batsman was confident that the ball was above his waist and he should be called a no-ball.
However, the third umpire also ruled in favor of the bowler and Virat Kohli was absolutely furious with the decision. The Indian batting superstar was involved in a heated exchange with the on-field umpires before leaving the field. She was also seen shaking her head in disappointment in the dock after his dismissal.
Here’s why Virat Kohli was left out:
Replays showed that Virat Kohli was outside the box when he played the ball. Third referee Michael Gough pointed this out as he reviewed the dismissal. Apart from that, the umpire also used the recently introduced Hawk-Eye ball tracking technology to verify the legitimacy of the pitch.
According to the technology, the ball would have passed the right-handed batsman 0.92 meters above the ground if he had been standing upright at the crease. Kohli’s waist height had previously been measured at 1.04 metres, so the ball would have passed below his waist if he had been at his crease. As a result, the arbitrator called it legal delivery.
To eliminate any confusion over waist-high no-balls this season, the IPL had introduced Hawk-Eye ball tracking technology to measure the height of the ball as it passes the player at the striker’s end. The height is then compared to the height from the player’s feet to his waist when he is upright, which is measured and recorded beforehand.
The throw will be considered legal if the height of the ball is less than the recorded height of the player’s waist. Otherwise, it will be considered a no-ball.