[Watch] "IPL wala hai kya? IPL me le sakte hai na to isliye puchha" - KL Rahul double-checks DRS rules during IND vs SL 1st ODI
Team India wicketkeeper KL Rahul questioned whether the system in place in the Indian Premier League (IPL), where wides and no-ball decisions by the on-umpires can be contested, was also available in international cricket. The incident took place during the first ODI against Sri Lanka in Colombo on August 2.
Rahul wished for the same rule as Shivam Dube's delivery in the 14th over, which struck on the back pad and was adjudged wide by the on-field umpire. Dube's delivery down the leg side made slight contact with the back pad before making its way to KL Rahul's gloves behind the stumps.
The Indian players staged an appeal to the on-field umpire, who remained unmoved. The bowler wanted to go for a review, but Rahul was sure that the ball did not make any contact with the bat and urged skipper Rohit Sharma to not take the review.
However, Rahul was sure that the ball had hit the pad, meaning that the delivery should not be adjudged wide. After convincing Rohit, he was heard saying that they could have taken a review had IPL's provision, where even during wicket reviews, the wide is checked, and in case the batter is not out and the delivery is not a wide upon replays, the fielding team does not lose the review.
"IPL wala hai kya? IPL me le sakte hai na to isliye puchha," KL Rahul was heard saying on the stump mic.
Have a look at the incident right here:
Rohit Sharma chose to align with the wicket-keeper, and it proved to be the right decision as ultra-edge showed the spike after the ball had passed the bat and made contact with the pad.
KL Rahul has been sharp behind the stumps in his return to national colors
KL Rahul won the wicketkeeping selection debate against Rishabh Pant to make it to the playing XI. He is expected to reprise his role in the middle order and has been potent with the gloves so far in the ongoing clash so far.
He has not had to execute any catches or stumping in the matches, but he has not conceded any byes so far and has been on point with the reviews and appeals. He was the first to appeal after Kusal Mendis was trapped LBW by Shivam Dube.
As of writing, Sri Lanka are tottering at 94/4 after 25 overs, with both spinners Kuldeep Yadav and Washington Sundar operating in tandem to dominate the middle overs.