 "Explained: What was the last-ball controversy during the PBKS vs RR IPL 2025 clash in Mullanpur?")
The IPL 2025 showdown between Punjab Kings and Rajasthan Royals at Mullanpur ended with a cloud of confusion surrounding the final delivery. The match saw RR break PBKS’s unbeaten streak in the ongoing season as they registered a dominant 50-run win.
However, there was a bit of an anti-climax at the end as a boundary off the last ball, which should have closed the game out, turned into a mini-drama.
What happened on the last ball?
RR’s Jofra Archer bowled a full delivery to Lockie Ferguson, who stepped out and sliced it wide of backward point. The ball raced away to the boundary after Sandeep Sharma fumbled at the square third man. Archer wasn’t pleased with the effort. The game looked done, but it wasn’t.
Moments later, umpires paused, not to check the four, but to verify a possible fielding violation. RR players, including Riyan Parag, signalled that something wasn’t right. Cameras showed just three fielders inside the ring on the off-side, and no one inside the circle on the leg-side.
Parag himself, stationed at mid-on, was apparently outside the circle at the time of delivery. This suggested a clear breach of the only five outside the circle applicable outside the powerplay.
What happened next?
After an extended pause and discussion among Archer, Parag, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Wanindu Hasaranga, as well as replays being examined by the TV umpire, the decision surprisingly did not go PBKS’s way. Despite what looked like a clear violation, the delivery was not called a no-ball.
Even Rajasthan Royals players had a laugh about it during the delay, while Punjab Kings coach Ricky Ponting was seen having an exchange with the fourth umpire. He was perhaps querying about the long check and why the right call was not taken.
What is the rule?
From overs 7 to 20 in a T20 match, teams can only have five fielders outside the 30-yard circle. Failure to do so results in a no-ball, and a free-hit follows.
Only three RR fielders inside the circle signal an extra, and the sixth fielder is outside the circle.
The decision in the PBKS vs RR match may not have affected the outcome, but it’s disappointing that even after such a long review, the correct decision wasn’t made.
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