‘Bad sportsman spirit’: Internet reacts to Rishabh Pant controversy

In the IPL 2022 match between Delhi Capitals and Rajasthan Royals, Rishabh Pant asked batters Rovman Powell and Kuldeep Yadav to leave the field because of a no-ball. The incident sparked a heated discussion on social media.

The action that sparked the controversy occurred in the third delivery of the Capitals’ chase, a full-toss from Obed McCoy that Rovman Powell pulled for a six. The Capitals had begun the over with a total of 36 runs required.

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Powell had sliced the target in half with three consecutive sixes. However, following the third six, both Powell and his batting partner Kuldeep Yadav questioned the on-field umpires Nitin Menon and Nikhil Patwardhan over whether it was a no-ball.

Pant and the rest of the Capitals dugout also gestured from outside the ropes, urging their batters to continue the issue, despite the fact that the rule does not allow a no-ball to be referred until a wicket is being reviewed. If a no-ball had been granted, the target would have been reduced by one run to 17 runs from four deliveries, with a free hit to follow.

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Delhi could only score a few runs after the incident and went on to lose the match by 15 runs.

DC lost their fourth game of the season, and they are presently in the sixth position in the league table. On the other side, RR has ascended to the top of the table.

Pant’s angry decision to bring his teammates back when the umpires did not designate it a no-ball delayed the match for a bit and sparked a lot of criticism on social media. Users on social media did not hold back in voicing their dissatisfaction.

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Here’s how the internet reacted: 

Indian cricket commentator and journalist Harsha Bhogle wrote in disdain, “Very tough to call in real-time. Irrespective of everything, you cannot call your players in. You forfeit the match whereas if they stay in, there is still a remote chance. It needed calm heads.”

Mohammed Azharuddin, former Indian cricketer and politician wrote “Bad sportsman spirit on display by Delhi Capitals Cricket is a game of gentlemen and this behaviour is completely unacceptable.”

Danish Sait, stand-up comedian and television host, said, ” I knew a kid back in school who walked away with his bat and stopped a cricket game because a decision went against him. Didn’t ever imagine I’d grow up and see something so similar all over again. Thanks, DC, you guys took me back in time today” he also added “Praveen Amre was definitely the last bencher, he took a bullet for the gang! I want a friend like him. ‘Bro, you wait, I got this “

Vikrant Gupta wrote “Shocking night. The umpiring has been worse than even gully-mohalla standard but Rishabh Pant had no business to suggest his batsmen to stage a walkout.”

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Many other reactions followed. 

Shubhankar Mishra chimed in and said “Last Over Controversy, seemed like gully cricket, Pant asking the batters to come back, and then sending in a team management guy to speak to the umpires.”