Indian skipper Virat Kohli was left fuming after India were not rewarded 5 runs after an attempt of fake fielding by Sri Lankan captain Dinesh Chandimal. After rain playing spoilsport on first 2 days of the Kolkata test, the skies finally opened up on Day 3 morning allowing some play. India resumed at 74/5. Pujara who held one end rock solid as he saw wickets tumbling from the other got to a well-deserved half-century.
Soon as he looked all set to convert his start into a hundred, he was castled by Lahiru Gamage for 52 leaving India at 79/6. Thereafter Saha (29) and Jadeja (22) counter-attacked and put on a little 48-run partnership. Both of them departed in quick succession and India were 128/8 soon.
It happened in 53rd over of the innings when Bhuvneshwar Kumar was batting. Bhuvneshwar chipped one over covers and Chandimal, fielding at extra cover put in a slide couldn’t stop the ball. As he got up he pretended to throw the ball when the ball had already gone past him.
Umpire Joel Wilson had an animated conversation with him and let him go without penalizing 5 runs. Virat Kohli in the dressing room was left furious and was seen pointing five with his hand from the dressing room on cameras.
As per the new rules that came into force from October 1 this year, fake fielding law says, “It is unfair for any fielder willfully to attempt, by word or action, to distract, deceive or obstruct either batsman after the striker has received the ball.”
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Even the commentators contended that India should have been rewarded five runs. Many experts and cricket pundits believe this is one of the stupidest rules and should be scrapped as soon as possible. India was eventually bowled out for 172. Who knows? In low scoring affairs like these, every single run does count!
– by Atharva Apte
