In the IPL 2024 match between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) on Saturday, CSK all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja faced an unusual dismissal. The third umpire ruled him out for ‘obstructing the field’ during the game at the MA Chidambaram Stadium.
Even though Ravindra Jadeja’s dismissal didn’t affect CSK’s chase of 142 runs on the slow pitch, as they comfortably won with 10 balls to spare, Jadeja was clearly unhappy with the decision. Nonetheless, the victory kept CSK’s playoff hopes alive.
How was Ravindra Jadeja dismissed in the CSK vs RR match?I
Chasing a challenging target, Jadeja struggled to score off the first six balls he faced. Finally, he managed to nudge a shorter delivery from Avesh Khan to third man for a single. Hoping for a quick double, Jadeja dashed for the second run, but Gaikwad, focused on keeping the strike, refused. Unfortunately, Jadeja was caught off-guard and found himself stranded halfway down the pitch. The throw from third man went to wicketkeeper Sanju Samson, who tried to run Ravindra Jadeja out but was obstructed by him.
Samson appealed immediately, leading to a review by the on-field umpires. After careful consideration, the TV umpire concluded that Jadeja intentionally changed his running path to block the throw. The decision flashed on the giant screen, confirming Jadeja’s dismissal for obstructing the field. He looked frustrated as he walked back, unhappy with the call.
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What is obstructing the field?
This situation occurs when a batsman intentionally blocks the fielding team’s attempt to field the ball while it’s in play without their permission. It can happen in different ways, like physically obstructing a fielder or interfering with the ball’s path. In Jadeja’s case, he obstructed a potential run-out by stopping a fielder’s throw from hitting the stumps.
The crucial thing here is the batsman’s intention. In the 2019 World Cup final between England and New Zealand, Ben Stokes accidentally deflected the ball with his bat while diving to avoid being run out. Although the ball went for a boundary, he wasn’t given out because it wasn’t deliberate.
What is ‘obstructing the field’ dismissal?
According to Law 37.1 of the MCC, a batter can be declared out for obstructing the field if they intentionally try to obstruct or distract the fielding side while the ball is in play, whether by action or words.
This rule even applies if it’s a no ball. If a legal delivery is bowled, and a player from the batting team deliberately obstructs the ball, the umpire can declare the striker out. However, if it’s a no ball, the batter responsible for the obstruction will be declared out obstructing the field.
Furthermore, under Law 37.4, a batter can also be out if they use the bat or any part of their body to return the ball to a fielder without the fielder’s consent while the ball is in play.
