[Watch] Drama in Bengaluru as Mayank Agarwal gets run-out on a no-ball and Dickwella asks for a bizarre lbw review
In perhaps the most bizarre 10 seconds of Mayank Agarwal's Test career, he got hit in the pads, miscommunicated with his partner, and was run-out all on the same delivery, which eventually turned out to be a no-ball.
It all unfolded in the second over of the first innings of India's ongoing Test against Sri Lanka in Bengaluru. Left-arm pacer Vishwa Fernando got the fourth ball to nip back into the opener from an over-the-wicket angle. The right-hander missed it and got hit on the knee roll, with the ball rolling to the cover-point region. The Sri Lankan close-in fielders appealed for lbw, but umpire Anil Chaudhary was unmoved.
Myank, meanwhile, waited a couple of seconds before calling for a run. Rohit Sharma at the other end wasn't interested, but the new Punjab Kings skipper strolled down the pitch anyway. Praveen Jayawickrama got to the ball from point and threw it to wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella, who, for some reason, didn't take the bails off immediately.
Dickwella peculiarly urged his captain for a review first and only then dislodged bails. Mayank was still way out of his crease and started to walk back dejectedly. Umpire Chaudhary referred the run-out appeal to the third umpire anyway and it turned out to be an over-stepped delivery from Fernando. But as run-outs are allowed on no-balls, the dismissal stood. Here's a video:
Mayank Agarwal runout on no ball #mayankagarwal #noball #INDvsSL #PinkBallTest #RohitSharma𓃵 https://t.co/3W7cUkhrXh
If the lbw appeal had turned out right, the opener would've survived because it was a no-ball, but he got run-out instead. Moreover, ICC rules mandate that when the umpire's decision is reviewed by the fielding captain, the events after the appeal are deemed to be invalid, i.e. no runs, overthrows and even run-outs are counted.
This meant that had Sri Lankan captain Dimuth Karunaratne taken Dickwella's advice and reviewed the call, Mayank wouldn't have to go back, which made the wicketkeeper's attempt to review even more inscrutable. Nevertheless, the 31-year-old's innings came to an end for just 4 (7).
Rohit Sharma follows Mayank Agarwal to the pavilion
Possibly the biggest crowd cheer you'll hear anywhere in India after a Rohit Sharma dismissal.
#INDvSL #ViratKohli #PinkBallTest https://t.co/0ty2kjHWEq
Skipper Rohit followed his opening partner to the pavilion, losing his wicket to spinner Lasith Embuldeniya for an uneasy 15 (25).
Virat Kohli has joined forces with Hanuma Vihari at the crease and the duo now have the responsibility to take India to safe waters on this turning Chinnaswamy Stadium track.