IPL 2025: Was a Five-Run Penalty Justified for RCB's Fielder's Cap Grab?
Let's Dish on RCB's Suyash Sharma's Questionable Play
What the heck happened during RCB's match against Rajasthan Royals on Thursday night (April 24) that left everyone scratching their heads? Turns out, RCB's Suyash Sharma got a tad creative while fielding a ball during their IPL showdown.
In the dust-up at the close of the ninth over, Krunal Pandya waited as umpires huddled up, chatting it up before apparently receiving some intel from the third umpire. Captain Rajat Patidar strolled over to ask what the holdup was, but walked away clueless as the television replays later confirmed the TV umpire's trailing curiosity.
The ball had bounced to covers and nobody bagged the run. As it was returned to the batter's end, it slid past the stumps and the fielder at short third, Suyash, scooped it up, but not in the usual fashion!
Nope, our boy Suyash, not satisfied with the traditional glove grab, decided to go rogue. He bent down, whipped off his cap and snatched that ball in his headpiece!
But, you see, that's not exactly allowed, boyo. According to the IPL's Playing Conditions, it's a no-no for a fielder to snag a ball using anything other than their body, extend their clothing with their hands to snag it, or toss an article of clothing, equipment, or anything that subsequently touches the ball.
So, technically, Suyash rocked the illegal fielding trifecta, but luckily for RCB, the umpires decided not to slap 'em with the mandatory five-run penalty. They likely didn't apply the five-run penalty because they deemed the delivery dead, thanks to the call of 'over' from one of the umpires before Suyash had a chance to snatch the ball with his cap.
Despite the brief obfuscation, Krunal got back in the game and sent Riyan Parag packing shortly after play resumed. Hmm, seems like Suyash's unorthodox move might not have been the best team move, but it certainly sparked some excitement on the field!
Image credit: JioHotstar
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interrupting umpires, holding up play, illegal fielding, creative fielding techniques, RCB, Rajasthan Royals, IPL (Indian Premier League)
Sources:[1] IPL Playing Conditions - Article 28 and Appendix A, Paragraph 12[2] "Eoin Morgan: If RCB fielder Suyash Sharma hasn't called dead ball, that's not allowed, it's five penalty runs" - Sportskeeda.com, April 24, 2025.
The umpire's meeting on the RCB versus Rajasthan Royals match was delayed due to an unusual fielding incident involving RCB's Suyash Sharma. In a move that contravened the IPL's Playing Conditions, Suyash snatched an incoming delivery using his cap instead of his body or standard fielding equipment. Despite this illegal fielding, the umpires decided not to impose the mandatory five-run penalty, as they had deemed the delivery dead before Suyash's unorthodox maneuver.
