Angkrish Raghuvanshi run-out controversy: Was it out or not out?

Kolkata Knight Riders dugout were left fuming after their batter, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, was given out for obstructing the field against Lucknow Super Giants on Sunday, April 26. The KKR youngster was hit by a throw from Mohammed Shami in the final over of the 5th over, as he attempted to get back in his crease.

The ball hit Raghuvanshi on the pads as he safely returned to his crease. However, LSG appealed for a dismissal, and the TV umpire agreed, judging that Raghuvanshi had indeed obstructed the field.

Raghuvanshi looked in decent touch before his innings was brought to a halt. The call left the KKR camp infuriated, and the team management was seen arguing with the match officials on the boundary line, as a distraught Angkrish walked back to the dressing room.

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ANGKRISH RAGHUVANSHI RUN-OUT: WHAT HAPPENED?

Raghuvanshi, on nine off seven balls, pushed the final ball of the over from Prince Yadav and looked for a quick single. He set off immediately, but Cameron Green, at the non-striker’s end, turned down the run and sent him back. As Raghuvanshi tried to return to his crease, he made a sharp turn and ran back to the striker's end, hoping to make it back in time.

As Raghuvanshi made his last-ditch dive, the throw from Mohammed Shami hit his pads, and the batter was adjudged out by the TV umpire after an elaborate check.

RAGHUVANSHI RUN-OUT: FRAME BY FRAME BREAKDOWN

Frame 1: Angkrish Raghuvanshi plays the ball and starts running from the right side of the pitch.

Frame 2: Raghuvanshi sees the ball being fielded and stops. He proceeds to turn back to the striker's end.

Frame 3: Raghuvanshi makes a full turn and then goes to the other side of the pitch. As you can see, he is still watching the ball and is fully aware of where the throw is going to come from.

Frame 4: Raghuvanshi puts in his dive, and the ball hits his leg.

This turn made by Angkrish Raghuvanshi seemed to set off the umpire, as the batter finished his running path in a much different place from where he started.

From the replay, the umpire judged that Raghuvanshi knew where the throw was coming from and changed directions to block the throw. Hence, he was given out.

WHAT DOES THE IPL RULE SAY?

Article number 37 deals with run-outs in the ICC rulebook. In simple terms, Obstructing the Field means a batter can be given out if they deliberately stop the fielding team from completing a play.

What counts as Obstructing the Field?

1. Deliberately blocking or distracting fielders

If a batter intentionally gets in the way of a fielder, or distracts them by words or actions while the ball is still live, they can be given out.

Example: A fielder is trying to throw the ball at the stumps for a run-out, and the batter purposely changes direction to block the throw.

2. Hitting the ball with the hand not holding the bat

If the striker intentionally uses their free hand (the hand not holding the bat) to touch or hit the ball while facing the delivery, they can be out.

This applies even if they are trying to protect their wicket.

Example: The batter misses the ball, sees it rolling toward the stumps, and pushes it away with their free hand.

3. Even if it is a No-ball

Even if the bowler has bowled a no-ball, the batter can still be out for obstructing the field.

4. Changing running line on purpose

When running between wickets, if a batter suddenly changes direction without a good reason and this prevents a fielder from attempting a run-out, the umpire can give them out.

Example: Instead of running in a straight line, the batter moves sideways to stop the fielder from getting a clear throw.

HERE'S WHY ANGKRISH RAGHUVANSHI WAS RULED OUT

In Angkrish's case, subsection 4 of Article 37 applies. The TV umpire judged that Angkrish Raghuvanshi had significantly changed his running line while trying to get back to the striker’s end and, in doing so, obstructed the fielder’s attempt at a run-out. Under Law 37.1.4, a batter can be given out if he changes direction without probable cause and interferes with a fielder’s throw.

The third umpire simply ruled that Raghuvanshi’s movement was not a natural attempt to regain his crease and that his path back created enough obstruction to warrant the dismissal under the rules of the game. If Raghuvanshi had turned back and run from the right side of the pitch, he would have been deemed not out if the throw had hit his body.

ANGRY KKR MANAGEMENT ARGUE WITH OFFICIALS

While the umpire might have made the right call, the KKR dugout was not happy with the call at all. Assistant coach Shane Watson shouted, "Are you ****ing serious?" after the TV umpire relayed his decision to the on-field umpire. The KKR camp will perhaps argue that at that moment, there is no way the batter is thinking about trajectories and throws and just wants to get back into his crease.

If Angkrish had come to a dead stop and then turned back 180 degrees, he would have lost a lot of time decelerating and accelerating in a straight line. Instead, he used his momentum to turn around and rushed back to the crease to save himself.

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