India registered a clinical 43-run win over Sri Lanka in the first T20I of the three-match series on Saturday, July 27 at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Pallekele. While the match was filled with phenomenal performances from both Indian and Sri Lankan players, one particular moment in Sri Lanka’s innings reminded fans of the famous 2019 World Cup final.
During the first dance of the 12He Off an over bowled by Hardik Pandya, Nissanka played the ball towards the square side to complete his fifty as the batsmen ran out two. However, a direct hit on the non-batsman’s side took the ball towards the boundary, meaning Sri Lanka got six runs off the ball.
However, when the third umpire checked the replays for runs, he also found that the batsmen had not crossed over when the fielder released the ball and hence awarded five runs to Sri Lanka instead of two. The incident immediately reminded everyone of the 2019 World Cup final as a similar incident took place in the famous game.
It is worth noting that in the final between England and New Zealand at Lord’s, there was a controversial moment in the last over. A delivery from Martin Guptill hit Ben Stokes’ hand and headed towards the third-man boundary for a four after the batsmen had made two runs.
What does the law say?
In an incident never before seen on the cricket field, England were allowed six runs which helped them tie the game. after the allotted 50 overs. England eventually won the match on a boundary count in the super over after both teams were tied at 15 runs again.
After the game ended, a controversy erupted as the on-field umpires made a mistake. According to rule 19.8 of the tournament’s playing conditions, both batsmen should have crossed when Guptill bowled the shot for the umpires to consider an extra run.
Why weren’t the referees allowed to watch the replay of the 2019 World Cup final?
However, replays suggested that Stokes and his batting partner Adil Rashid had not crossed and the umpires should have awarded five runs instead of six. Conceding five runs would also have put Rashid on strike instead of Stokes, as England needed four to win from two balls.
However, the referees on the field Kumar Dharamsena and Marais Erasmus did not have the luxury of consulting the third umpire on that occasion. As there was no dismissal like in the first T20I between Sri Lanka and India, the umpires backed their views and awarded six runs to England in a historic decision that helped England win their first World Cup title. After the controversy, Kumar Dharmasena also opened up and accepted his mistake.
