After an on-field decision went against his team in the 34th match of the present Indian Premier League (IPL) against Rajasthan Royals, Rishabh Pant, Delhi Capitals' skipper, almost persuaded his teammates to walk out. Umpire Nitin Menon refused to call a no-ball on an Obed McCoy waist-high delivery, prompting Pant to tell his batters to leave the field.
Defending a target of 223, the Capitals needed 36 runs in the final over of Friday's encounter to win. Rovman Powell's six-hitting streak appeared in jeopardy because of a lengthy pause at the Wankhede Stadium tonight. Powell had just smashed three sixes in a row when he was halted by his captain and a support crew member.
The result was a 15-run victory for Rajasthan Royals fast bowler Obed McCoy, who held down the batsman for the final three balls of the game. Powell and Kuldeep Yadav were ushered off the field by Pant shortly afterwards. Following this, Pravin Amre went to the field to speak with Menon.
DC vs RR match highlights
Due to an unfavourable judgment against them, Pant visibly requested that Powell and non-striker Kuldeep Yadav surrender the game. According to Shane Watson, the situation might have gotten out of hand if it weren't for another DC assistant coach, who told Pant that Amre had entered the playing area to argue with the umpire about the call.
Capitals are still in sixth place on the points table after losing their fourth IPL 2022 game against the Royals, but they are hoping for a comeback in the second half of the season. However, the Royals are now top of the points table after winning five and losing two of their first seven matches.
Criticism towards Pant’s reaction
Pant's reaction has not been well accepted by the cricketing community, with numerous critics labelling Pant's behaviour as inappropriate. Pant's conduct has been criticized by former England captain Kevin Pietersen. Pietersen also criticized DC assistant coach, Amre for approaching the field to disrupt the match to have an argument with the umpires.
“You cannot be doing that in the gentlemen's game," Pietersen, a member of the Star Sports commentary team, said during the event. "This is cricket, not football.”
In Star Sports, Pietersen commented on Pant's behaviour before the post-match. Calling batters back and coach to stop the play was a huge unacceptable mistake. He also criticized Amre for going along with Pant and running into the field to argue with the umpire. "He is a senior member. That is unacceptable. I hope that we never ever ever see it again," Pietersen said.
