Why Scott Styris abruptly walked out of the commentary box
India is currently taking on New Zealand in the third ODI at Mohali. Having won the toss, skipper MS Dhoni once again decided to put the Kiwis into bat. New Zealand made a solid start, having put on 64 in the first ten overs with captain Kane Williamson and Martin Guptill in the middle.
Both batsmen were looking comfortable against the pace of Umesh Yadav and Hardik Pandya and seemed well on course to put up a big stand. India needed wickets at the stage, and Dhoni, in his aim to change things a bit, introduced the off-spin of Kedar Jadhav in the eleventh over.
Scott Styris was on air alongside Sunil Gavaskar and Ravi Shastri when Jadhav was brought into the attack. Jadhav has been a pain in the neck for New Zealand in this series, and Styris did not seem to be an enthusiast of Jadhav’s bowling skills. Styris made a remark when he saw Jadhav come into bowl. He said, “I will walk out of the commentary box, and take the first flight to New Zealand if Jadhav takes a wicket today.”
Jadhav had been a surprise package in the series so far for India, picking up three wickets in the first two games. With only 1 First Class wicket under his name before this series, Jadhav was not really known for his bowling exploits, but more for his batting and wicket-keeping skills. His wickets had been a rather unexpected boon for India in the series, but it wasn’t something that cricket experts expected to happen too often.
Styris was half-expecting Jadhav to take another wicket. But unfortunately for him, Jadhav in his last ball of his second over, bowled one straight to Williamson, who attempted a sweep but missed the ball completely, and was adjudged LBW by the umpire. Jadhav had taken a wicket, much to the vexation of Styris.
Most would have expected Styris to eat his words and praise Jadhav, but the former New Zealand all-rounder stuck to what he said, and in a rather funny manner, walked out of the commentary box, leaving Shastri and Gavaskar in splits.
Here’s the video of Styris leaving the commentary box:
Styris took the whole incident in good spirit and even gave a witty reply to a fan who asked about his whereabouts.
Where is @scottbstyris now #INDvNZ
— Mr Navin (@Mister_Awessome) October 23, 2016
In the match, Jadhav continued to display his all-round skills, grabbing three wickets in Mohali. He, along with Amit Mishra broke the back of the New Zealand batting, but some late-order fireworks by Jimmy Neesham and Matt Henry took New Zealand to 285.