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IPL 2026: Angkrish Raghuvanshi out explained — should Rishabh Pant have withdrawn the appeal?
TL;DR
Angkrish Raghuvanshi was controversially dismissed for obstructing the field during an IPL match, raising questions about the appeal made by LSG captain Rishabh Pant. The incident has ignited a debate on the interpretation of the rules and the spirit of the game.
Key points
- Angkrish Raghuvanshi was dismissed for obstructing the field.
- The incident occurred during a match between KKR and LSG.
- Rishabh Pant's appeal has sparked debate about the spirit of the game.
Mentioned in this story
Rishabh PantMohammed ShamiRohan Gavaskar
Kolkata Knight RidersLucknow Super Giants
NEW DELHI: Angkrish Raghuvanshi’s controversial dismissal for obstructing the field during Kolkata Knight Riders’s (KKR) clash against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on Sunday has sparked a wider debate, not just about the law, but also the “spirit of the game” and whether LSG skipper Rishabh Pant should have withdrawn the appeal.
The incident occurred when Raghuvanshi, attempting a quick single, was sent back and dived to make his ground as a throw came in from the infield. The ball struck him mid-dive, leading to an appeal from Mohammed Shami. After referral, the third umpire ruled him out, citing a change in running line.
As per IPL playing conditions (Clause 37.1.4), a batter can be given out if he “significantly changed his direction without probable cause and thereby obstructed a fielder’s attempt to effect a run out,” regardless of whether a run-out was likely.
Speaking to Cricbuzz after the match, former India cricketer Rohan Gavaskar disagreed with the decision, saying, “I think it's not out becuase when the ball came and the batter dived, he was not looking at the ball.
“He was looking to make that dive. If he was looking at the ball, then he wouldn't have dived, knowing that if he had dived, the ball would hit his body. When he made that dive, it means that it was unintentional. So I would think that it was not out.”
IPL 2026: Should Rishabh Pant have withdrawn the appeal?
The bigger question, however, was whether Pant, as captain, could have withdrawn the appeal.
Former Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag weighed in, “When you are winning, you, as the captain, think that we can let go of this. But since Lucknow were not winning, then they thought that that we could get this wicket, and we would get benefit. So they appealed and as per law, it is a correct appeal.
“But we can say that in spirit of the game, they should not have done it. But when you have made a law, then where was spirit of the game?
“But I will say that this was third umpire's decision, and he was watching it on the TV. And when he put in the dive, it's not that he was looking at the ball... so it was indeed a harsh call.”
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In the game, Sunil Narine and Rinku Singh starred as Kolkata Knight Riders edged Lucknow Super Giants in a thrilling Super Over in IPL 2026. Narine’s double strike restricted LSG, while Rinku sealed the win with a boundary.
The victory lifted KKR off the bottom of the points table after a tense contest in Lucknow.
Q&A
What led to Angkrish Raghuvanshi's dismissal in the IPL 2026 match?
Angkrish Raghuvanshi was dismissed for obstructing the field after the ball struck him while he was diving to make his ground, leading to an appeal from Mohammed Shami.
Why is Rishabh Pant's appeal for Raghuvanshi's dismissal controversial?
The controversy stems from whether Pant should have withdrawn the appeal, as many believe Raghuvanshi did not intentionally obstruct the field while attempting a quick single.
What does IPL playing condition Clause 37.1.4 state about obstructing the field?
Clause 37.1.4 states that a batter can be given out for significantly changing direction without probable cause, thereby obstructing a fielder's attempt to effect a run out.