A rare called without balls under law 27.3 led to a moment that changed the game in the crash of IPL 2025 between the Indians of Mumbai and the Sunrisers Hyderabad.
In the seventh persecution of Mumbai Indians in Wankhede, Ryan Rickelton was fired after hitting Zeeshan Ansari directly in Pat Cummins on the cover. Srh began to celebrate what seemed to be a dismissal of regulation, and a first IPL wickt for Ansari.
However, the referee in the countryside soon pointed out a ball after the intervention of the fourth referee. The reason: The Wicktkeeper Heinrich Klaasen gloves were placed in front of the stumps at the point of contact between the bat and the ball.
Why Heinrich Klaasen’s mistake denied Srh Rickelt Wickt
The rule: Law 27.3 – WICKETKEPER POSITION
According to Marylebone Cricket Club’s Cricket laws (MCC), specifically Law 27.3, a Wicketkeeper is not allowed to be in front of the stumps before the ball touches the bat or the batter or pass the stumps.
Law 27.3.1: “The Wicktkeeper will remain completely behind the Wickt at the end of the striker from the moment the ball comes into play until a ball hits the bat or the person from the striker or passes the wickt at the end of the striker.”
If the Wicketkeeper infringes this rule, the delivery declares a ball under law 27.3.2, which establishes:
“In the event that the Wicktkeeper that contravenes this law, the final referee of the striker will not call and not indicate a ball.”
Because Klaasen’s gloves were ahead of the stumps when the ball hit Rickelton’s bat, the delivery was considered illegal. The batter was called back, the Wickt was canceled and a free success was granted to the Mumbai Indians.
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This moment not only denied Zeeshan Ansari a debut wickt, but also gave me an additional score opportunity, potentially changing a boost during a critical phase of the party.
While such instances are unusual, they underline the level of scrutiny in modern cryket, especially with multiple cameras and a fourth vigilant referee. SRH’s period served as a reminder that even minor positioning errors can lead to important consequences.
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