Why was Ricky Ponting upset during RR vs DC in IPL 2024?

Before the second innings of the Rajasthan Royals vs Delhi Capitals match in the Indian Premier League (IPL) could get underway on Thursday, there was a hiccup. The match was halted not by a supporter or any external factor but by DC head coach Ricky Ponting. The former Australia captain argued with the umpire over RR’s usage of foreign players on the field.

What happened?

After batting, and scoring 185/5, Royals used their Impact Substitute card to bring in Nandre Burger for Shimron Hetmyer. A couple of deliveries later, RR also bought in Rovman Powell, supposedly as a substitute fielder. Ponting, though, was not pleased. He seemed to be questioning how Royals could start with three overseas players in the XI and add one more to the field. The reserve umpire was then seen clarifying the decision to him.

What is the overseas players rule in the IPL?

Rule 1.2.5 of the IPL 2024 Match Playing Conditions reads: “Each team may not name more than 4 Overseas players (as defined in the IPL Player Regulations) in its starting eleven for any match”

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Rule 1.2.6 reads: “A team may not have more than 4 Overseas players on the field of play at any time during any Match. Thus, if the team names the maximum 4 Overseas players in its starting XI, an Overseas player may only take the field as a substitute fielder if the player that he is replacing is an Overseas player.

“If the team names less than 4 Overseas players in its starting XI, Overseas players may only enter the field of play as substitute fielders to the extent that by doing so, they do not take the total number of Overseas players representing that team on the field to more than 4.”

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So, by naming three overseas players in the XI, including Burger, RR had scope to bring on one more as a substitute fielder. And by bringing on Powell, they had ticked the overseas players on the field to four, but were still within the rules.

What happened in RR vs DC in Jaipur?

In the match played in Jaipur, Royals scored 185/5 with Riyan Parag emerging the Player of the Match for a stellar 84 runs from 45 balls, including seven fours and six sixes. His knock gained added importance considering Royals were 36/3 at one stage and the conditions were aiding the bowlers with the ball swinging around freely.

Ashwin played a crucial cameo lower down the order, producing a 19-ball 29, while stitching a 54 run stand with Parag.

In reply, David Warner (49 from 34 balls) and Tristan Stubbs (44 from 23 balls) gave a fair go of the chase but others didn’t quite get going as well. In the end, DC fell 12 runs short for their second straight defeat in IPL 2024. Royals, meanwhile, collected their second consecutive win.