Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) faced Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in the 15th match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on Monday (April 10). The Lucknow-based team emerged victorious in the contest by one wicket. During the nail-biting thriller a controversial incident took place which soon became a major talking point on the internet and drew the attention of the likes of Harsha Bhogle and Ben Stokes.
Asked to bat first, RCB put up an impressive batting display, with skipper Faf du Plessis, Virat Kohli and Glenn Maxwell all scoring big runs. While Du Plessis played a brilliant knock of 79 off 46 deliveries, Virat and Maxwell contributed 61 and 59 runs to the team’s total. The power-hitting from the trio helped RCB post a massive total of 212/2 in their allotted 20 overs.
In response, LSG didn’t start well and lost their opener Kyle Mayers for a duck. However, Marcus Stoinis (65) and Nicholas Pooran (62) then played some breathtaking shots to keep the team in the hunt. Ayush Badoni also contributed valuable 30 runs in the run chase. Despite the explosive batting display of Lucknow batters, the game went down to the final over, where LSG chased down the set target with just one wicket in hand on the last ball. Although there was a chance for RCB to win the game on the last delivery of the 20th over, Harshal Patel failed to execute the non-striker’s end run out, and the Bangalore-based team eventually lost the contest.
On the sixth ball of the final over, Harshal attempted to run out non-striker Ravi Bishnoi, who left his crease before the white leather was delivered, but he missed. Soon after the failed effort, he stopped out of the crease and threw the ball back at the stumps. The ball hit the target, and Bishnoi was short of his ground, but unfortunately, Harshal had completed his bowling action, so the run-out did not count as per the law.
After the match, Bhogle, who has advocated the non-striker’s end run out in the past, took to Twitter and pointed out the incident taking a dig at the critics that oppose the law and consider it against the spirit of the game.
“Bishnoi was leaving his crease early. Any silly people out there still saying you shouldn’t run the non-striker out?,” tweeted Bhogle.
Bishnoi was leaving his crease early. Any silly people out there still saying you shouldn't run the non-striker out?
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) April 10, 2023
England Test Captain and Chennai Super Kings‘ (CSK) member Stokes was quick to respond to Bhogle and wrote: “Thought’s Harsha? Umpires discretion.. 6 penalty runs if obviously trying to gain unfair advantage by leaving the crease early? Would stop batters doing it without all the controversy.”
Thought’s Harsha?
Umpires discretion.. 6 penalty runs if obviously trying to gain unfair advantage by leaving crease early?
Would stop batters doing it without all the controversy https://t.co/xjK7Bnw0PS— Ben Stokes (@benstokes38) April 10, 2023
Bhogle commended the English cricketer for his perspective on the matter and expressed interest in having a discussion with him. Additionally, the veteran cricket commentator also wished for Stokes to recover quickly.
“Happy to get your perspective, Ben. I am doing a game in Chennai if you have a few minutes. And hope you are fit and playing again soon,” replied the 61-year-old.
Happy to get your perspective, Ben. I am doing a game in Chennai if you have a few minutes. And hope you are fit and playing again soon
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) April 10, 2023
