Chennai Super Kings defeated Gujarat Titans in the IPL 2023 Qualifier 1 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on May 23. While CSK skipper MS Dhoni took some brilliant decisions on the field, there was one incident in the CSK vs GT clash that didn’t go well with the cricket fans.
CSK vs GT: Umpires restrict Pathirana from bowling the 16th over
The incident took place before the 16th over of Gujarat Titans’ innings. MS Dhoni was seen engaged in a discussion with the on-field umpires. CSK pacer Matheesha Pathirana was getting ready to bowl his second over but was not allowed by the umpire because he was not present on the field for the same amount of time as he had been off it.
Matheesha Pathirana was off the field for 9 minutes before the 16th over. On-field umpires Chris Gaffaney and Anil Chaudhary, did not allow the CSK pacer to resume his bowling duties straightaway due to his brief absence from the field, prompting MS Dhoni and his teammates to intervene in the matter.
While things were not very clear at the start, it was later pointed out by many that it was a deliberate time-wasting strategy by Dhoni. He kept the umpires engaged till the time elapsed as other CSK players surrounded the officials. MS Dhoni held up play for close to 4 minutes before Matheesha Pathirana was allowed to bowl the 16th over.
Commentator Sunil Gavaskar reacted to the controversial incident and said, “You accept the umpire’s decision. Even if the umpire gets it wrong sometimes in high-pressure situations.”
— Rahul Chauhan (@ImRahulCSK11) May 24, 2023
Fans Reaction after they were left unimpressed with MS Dhoni’s tactics
Cricket fans too reacted to the bizarre incident as one of the Twitter users wrote, “If this is in the rule its a Bizarre rule. If this is not in the rule then why Dhoni was allowed to stop the play by Umpires ? We do not expect such things from Captain like MS Dhoni.”
If this is in the rule its a Bizarre rule. If this is not in the rule then why Dhoni was allowed to stop the play by Umpires ? We do not expect such things from Captain like MS Dhoni. (2/2)#CSKvsGT #iplfinal #IPL2O23
— Pratik Pathare (@PratikTwits) May 23, 2023
Another netizen tweeted,”Pathirana was out of the field for more than 9 minutes and came suddenly to bowl. Here the rule is that Pathirana should present at least 9 minutes on the field to bowl his over but what Dhoni was chatting with umpires?? This isn’t acceptable at all.”
Pathirana was out of the field for more than 9 minutes and came suddenly to bowl. Here the rule is that Pathirana should present atleast 9 minutes on the field to bowl his over but what Dhoni was chatting with umpires??
— Priyansh (@priyansh_45) May 23, 2023
This isn't acceptable at all. pic.twitter.com/NML3LikBc3
According to IPL’s Law 24.2.3, “If a player is absent from the field for longer than 8 minutes, the following restrictions shall apply to their future participation in the match: The player shall not be permitted to bowl in the match until he has either been able to field, or his team has subsequently been batting, for the total length of playing time for which the player was absent.”