Was Rahul Dismissed On No-Ball? Indians Are Convinced But They’re Wrong & Here’s The Proof

On Oct 25, 2021

India’s famed opening pair of Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul failed to impress in their T20 World Cup encounter against rivals Pakistan at Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

Rohit was dismissed for a golden duck after being trapped in front by Shaheen Afridi in the first over while Rahul was cleaned up by a brilliant in-swinging delivery by the Pakistani left-arm pacer in his next over.

These 2 deliveries of @iShaheenAfridi to @ImRo45 & @klrahul11.#INDvPAK #MaukaMauka pic.twitter.com/2L5NFeCXBo

— Syed Ahsen Shah (@SAhsenShah) October 24, 2021

The twin blows pegged India on the backfoot and they failed to post a strong total on the board, despite skipper Virat Kohli leading by example and scoring yet another T20 half-century against Pakistan.

INNINGS BREAK!

Captain @imVkohli‘s fine & @RishabhPant17‘s guide #TeamIndia to /. #T20WorldCup #INDvPAK

Scorecard https://t.co/eNq46RHDCQ pic.twitter.com/in0w8qSrir

— BCCI (@BCCI) October 24, 2021

The Pakistani openers made a mockery of the target and carried their bats as they chased down the 152-run target with 13 balls to spare, registering a massive 10-wicket victory to kick-start their campaign.

Record breakers @iMRizwanPak and @babarazam258 posted the highest first-wicket partnership in Men’s #T20WorldCup history in #Pakistan‘s momentous win

— ICC (@ICC) October 25, 2021

After the match, the images of KL Rahul’s dismissal went viral on social media as fans claimed it should have been called a no ball but the TV umpire made a huge mistake.

The screenshots which are being circulated online show Afridi’s front foot beyond the popping crease with the ball still in hand. Looking at the pictures, the fans were convinced that Rahul was declared out on an illegal delivery.

They took to the micro-blogging site and slammed the International Cricket Council (ICC) for poor umpiring and conspiring against India.

Stupid umpiring in this crucial match is not accepted… Blind to see No Ball we lost Rahul #icc #ICCT20WorldCup #INDvPAK #KLRahul #ViratKohli #SanjayManjrekar. pic.twitter.com/pFASMXZtVM

— Shiv Sharma (@ShivShharma) October 24, 2021

Is that not a no ball #klrahul wicket @ICC @ICCT20WorldCup_ pic.twitter.com/I32KkKHdqc

— Anurag Rao (@Anurag03Rao) October 24, 2021

#INDvPAK KL Rahul should have been adjudged not out. What is the third umpire doing? Isn’t he responsible to review all the no balls?

Such irresponsible umpiring can cost the match. @BCCI @klrahul11 @imVkohli @ICC pic.twitter.com/pufk1vk6zK

— CA Vishal Jain (@VishalJain2694) October 24, 2021

Why nobody is taking about this,
This was a no ball #KLRahul #indiaVsPakistan #India pic.twitter.com/MWmhIxzyro

— Devil Aadi (@DevileAadi) October 24, 2021

Wtf is going on ?
That delivery was no ball in which @klrahul11 got bowled#IndiaVsPak pic.twitter.com/hII9CzhT9M

— Shwetank Yadav (@Shwetan79233477) October 25, 2021

KL Rahul was bowled off no-ball in India Vs Pak game
This was a no ball#KLRahul @BCCI pic.twitter.com/iGXEyUgfCV

— Kunal Kumar (@kunal8969) October 25, 2021

Is this international cricket or street cricket? #KLRahul pic.twitter.com/8mTecjqTzJ

— Siva Arun (@SivaArun5397) October 24, 2021But was it really a no ball?

Upon looking at replays, one can clearly see that at the time of landing some part of Afridi’s front foot was actually behind the line and as per rules that is all that matters and the third umpire was right in not calling it a no ball.

As far as the screenshots are concerned, it is natural for any fast bowler’s front foot to skid off after landing and the same happened on this occasion with Afridi. The screenshots which are being circulated online are clearly misleading as they don’t take into account the first point of contact.

Each one of us who follows cricket passionately is disappointed with the loss but rather than finding an excuse and blaming others for our defeat, we should respect that the opposition played better cricket than us and thoroughly deserved to win the game.

Blaming the umpires and the match referee makes us look like sour losers. We should not lose our faith in our players because we know how talented they are and they will be wager to bounce back strongly in the upcoming matches.

We must remember what Kohli said after the match, losing to Pakistan is not the end, it was just the opening match and there is a whole tournament left in front of us.