“Surely that doesn’t make sense to me, there has to be an explanation”: Harsha Bhogle after the match was stopped in between for Pathirana

The IPL 2023 Qualifier One was halted for many minutes today (May 23) as Chennai Super Kings players and umpires sparred until Matheesha Pathirana was given adequate time to bowl.

The incident took place just before the Gujarat Titans’ chasing team’s 16th over began. When Gujarat reached 102-6 and still needed 71 runs from the final 30 balls of their innings, the game was all but over. Batting first, CSK had scored 172-7.

The umpires understood there were still four minutes to go before Pathirana could participate actively in the game when MS Dhoni asked him to bowl again as he was about to begin his run-up. Before they bowl or bat again, players who have left the field of play must wait the same amount of time that has passed while they were away.

Dhoni and the rest of the CSK team gathered around the umpires to question the results, though. By the time the chat was complete, Pathirana could begin his over because the additional four minutes he had to wait before bowling had already passed.

Commentators said

“The stoppage was four mins,” said Harsha Bhogle. “Surely that doesn’t make sense to me, there has to be an explanation. if he came in at four mins left, the clock should stop and someone else should be bowling.”

“You accept the umpire’s decision,” said Sunil Gavaskar. “Even if the umpire gets it wrong sometimes in high-pressure situations.”

“Chris Gaffaney is an ICC Elite Panel umpire,” replied Bhogle. “He shouldn’t be accepting that.”

When Pathirana finally bowled his over, he did so after giving up 19 runs and bowling two wides. Off his fourth and fifth deliveries, Rashid Khan struck consecutive boundaries, including a six over long on.

The CSK’s over-rate suffered as a result of the delay, and they were unable to finish their bowling innings within the allotted time. For the game’s final over, CSK was forced to remove a fielder from the inner ring. This was of almost little relevance to Gujarat Titans because they still had one wicket to take and needed 27 runs off the final over.

By winning by a margin of 15 runs, Chennai Super Kings guaranteed their spot in the May 28 final.

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