ICC won’t count Rinku Singh’s game-winning six off the final ball following the thrilling first T20I between Australia and India. While the Indian team’s World Cup campaign ended heartbreakingly last Sunday, there was still excitement in the game’s shortest format as India’s opening Twenty20 international match against Australia on Thursday saw an exciting conclusion in Visakhapatnam.
Josh Inglis’ outstanding 110 off only 50 balls helped the Australians smash a massive score of 208/3 in 20 overs. Captain Suryakumar Yadav and Ishan Kishan then played outstanding half-century efforts to get the hosts very close to victory. But the loss of the two brought the Australians back into the contest, and Nathan Ellis’s tight penultimate over, in which he gave up just six overs, ensured that the match would finish with a bang.
India needed seven runs off the final over, thus the odds were still in their favour. Rinku Singh actually reduced the necessary score to three runs off of five balls when he hit a four off Sean Abbott’s opening ball of the over.
Abbott dragged his length on the second delivery, which prevented the left-hander from connecting, but he still managed to snag a single when Matthew Wade, the wicketkeeper, erred in his collection.
Axar Patel attempted a length delivery with two needed off four, but he was unable to connect, striking a top edge. Spinner Ravi Bishnoi joined the attack when Abbott, remaining composed, dismissed Axar with a straightforward catch over his shoulder.
When Abbott delivered the third ball, Bishnoi attempted a hook shot and completely missed the connection, but Rinku was cautious and started running as soon as the ball was delivered. Bishnoi was run out at the opposite end as the batter was able to retrieve the strike.
Rinku hit the penultimate delivery, a slower ball, towards deep midwicket with Arshdeep at the non-striker. Rinku reached the crease while trying to go for a second run, but Arshdeep was unable to reach his ground at the bowler’s end.
Much to the relief of the dugout, Rinku held onto the strike even though India lost their third wicket in as many deliveries.
Why did Rinku Singh’s six in the final ball go uncounted?
Rinku completed the task in the most pleasing way possible, hitting the ball for a maximum over long on with one out of the final over needed. However, the six runs were not recognized because the third umpire quickly determined that Abbott had overstepped. It wasn’t a ball.
The match was over before the ball could reach Rinku Singh because India only needed one run to win thanks to the no-ball. Because India had already won the match, the left-hander’s beautiful six that he hit down the ground was not included in either his personal scorecard or the team’s total.
What are the terms of the ICC’s Playing Conditions, or in layman’s terms, the rules?
The match ends as soon as a result as specified in clauses 16.1, 16.2, or 16.3.1 is reached, under ICC Men’s T20I Playing Conditions 16.5.1. Other than what is stated in clause 41.17.2 (Penalty runs), nothing that occurs after that will be considered a part of it.
Fascinatingly, if India had required more than a run to win, Rinku’s six would have been valid. Abbott’s no-ball in those situation would have, at most, knotted the scores and kept the game alive.
“The entire boundary allowance shall be credited to the side’s total and, in the event of a hit by the bat, to the striker’s score if a boundary is scored before the batters have completed enough runs to win the match.”
