Follow UsA dead rubber turned into the best match of the competition as India and Sri Lanka matched each other’s totals on September 26 (Friday). India scored 202/5 in their stipulated 20 overs, and Sri Lanka matched that with 202/5 in their 20 overs, taking the game to a super over.
Sri Lanka got off to the worst start possible, losing Kusal Perera off the very first delivery. Neither Dasun Shanaka nor Kamindu Mendis could get any sort of timing on the ball, as Sri Lanka were lagging on 2/1 after the fourth delivery.
However, that’s when controversy rang around in Dubai. Shanaka went for a booming drive, with the umpire deeming him caught behind. To make matters worse, the Sri Lankan all-rounder was nowhere in the frame, as Sanju Samson had knocked the stumps down. It looked like the all-rounder was out anyway.
But that’s where the rules and regulations took a wrong turn for the Indian side. The umpire had deemed Shanaka caught behind, for which the Sri Lankan batter had gone upstairs. On further review, there was a clear gap between the bat and the ball, which gave the all-rounder another life.
Wasn’t he run out, though?
Well, that’s where the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC)’s rules come into play. According to MCC’s Playing Conditions 20.1, which deals with ‘Ball is dead’, the ball is dead when the umpire has deemed a batter out.
In this case, Shanaka was given out on the field, and according to 20.1.1.3, “a batter is dismissed. The ball will be deemed to be dead from the instant of the incident causing the dismissal.”
Hence, Shanaka got a reprieve, but it didn’t really cost India a lot as the all-rounder was dismissed on the very next delivery. Eventually, India went on to add to their super over wins, as they remained unbeaten in the competition heading into the final against Pakistan, on September 28 (Sunday).