India veteran MS Dhoni, on Thursday, left the cricketing world in shock as he took an unprecedented step of walking onto the field to protest against an umpiring decision.
The incident occurred in the final over of an IPL 2019 clash between Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur.
Dhoni stormed onto the field after the on-field umpires failed to award CSK a no-ball with three balls remaining. RR all-rounder Ben Stokes bowled a delivery appeared to be above the waist with Ulhas Gandhe, standing at the striker’s end, raising his arm, only to be overruled by square leg umpire Bruce Oxenford.
Even as Ravindra Jadeja protested against the decision, a furious Dhoni walked onto the field to confront the two umpires. However, despite all his efforts, the decision stood.
Here’s how the cricketing world reacted to the incident:
Former Australian star Michael Slater, who was commentating the match for Fox Sports, couldn’t believe his eyes as Stokes also engaged in the discussion with Dhoni.
“I can’t say I’ve seen this (before),” Slater said. “You will never see a captain storm out onto the field to have a discussion with the umpires. Unbelievable.”
Also, his then-teammate Mark Waugh on Twitter wrote: “I know there’s pressure from owners and big money involved in the IPL but I’ve been very disappointed with the 2 incidents involving the skippers of there respective teams in Ashwin and MS. Not a good look at all.”
This is not a good look for the game … No place at all for a Captain to storm onto the pitch from the Dugout … !! #IPL
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) April 11, 2019
Among the firsts for me in today's game was the sight of Dhoni walking out onto the ground. As @MichaelVaughan said on #CricbuzzLIVE it is something he will realise he shouldn't have done.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) April 11, 2019
Umpiring standards have been pretty low in this #IPL and that was a no-ball given and reversed. Enough to feel crossed and miffed. But the opposition captain has no right to walk out on the pitch after being dismissed. Dhoni set a wrong precedent tonight. #RRvCSK #IPL
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) April 11, 2019
The umpire is well within his right to overturn a No-Ball or any decision on the field for that matter. Surprised with how Dhoni handled it. It was so unlike Captain Cool #RRvCSK
— Hemang Badani (@hemangkbadani) April 11, 2019
Former Indian wicketkeeper Deep Dasgupta was critical of Dhoni, telling ESPN Cricinfo: “That’s not on.
“He’s got every right to go and speak to the fourth umpire, he’s got every right to speak to the match referee … but walking in while the game is on (is wrong).
“Just because you feel you’ve been wronged you can’t go and do things which are not permitted.”
Ex-Aussie fast bowler Shaun Tait also gave Dhoni a whack. “You don’t walk onto the field. It’s not village cricket or under-10s cricket — this is the IPL,” Tait said.
“You’re a player. I think Dhoni sometimes forgets he’s a player. You’re not an official, you’re a player, you can’t control the officials.
“It was a really bizarre look.”
