'What did the bowler do?': Varun Chakaravarthy questions controversial no-ball call in MI vs SRH clash

Varun Chakaravarthy questions no-ball rule following controversial call in MI-SRH IPL 2025 clash. (Photo: IPL and JioHotstar)

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) spinner Varun Chakaravarthy has questioned a no-ball call made during the IPL 2025 match between Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Mumbai Indians (MI) on Thursday. Instead of punishing the bowler with a no-ball, Varun said, it should be a dead ball with a warning to the keeper.

Zeeshan Ansari caught Ryan Rickelton in the covers in the match at the Wankhede Stadium. But the fourth umpire stopped Rickelton late and it was called a no-ball. The third umpire checked and found Klaasen had his gloves in front of the sticks when the ball made contact with the bat. As it was ruled a no-ball, Rickelton had a free-hit to face.

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There was discussion about whether the bowler should be penalized for such infractions after the third umpire's ruling. The Mumbai Indians won by 4 wickets after successfully chasing down Sunrisers Hyderabad's 162/5.

On social media, cricket players and previous players have expressed their opinions.

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Varun Chakaravarthy expressed his disapproval of the third umpire's ruling. He added that the bowler had done nothing wrong and questioned the rule's impartiality, adding that bowlers shouldn't be penalized with a free hit and no-ball.

"If the keeper's gloves come in front of the stumps, it should be a dead ball and a warning to the keeper so that he doesn't do that again !!! Not a no-ball and a free hit!! What did the bowler do? Thinking out loud!! What do u all think???" Varun Chakaravarthy posted on X.

If the keeper's gloves come in front of the stumps, it should be a dead ball and a warning to the keeper so that he doesn't do that again !!! Not a no ball and a free hit!! What did the bowler doThinking out loud!! What do u all think???
Varun Chakaravarthy (@chakaravarthy29) April 17, 2025

A slower ball from Harshal Patel in the next over dismissed Ryan Rickelton. The left-hander scored 31 runs from 23 balls, five of which were boundaries.

According to cricket law 27.4, the umpire has the power to declare a wide or no-ball if the keeper shifts positions before the ball is received.

According to the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), Law 27.3 says that: “The wicket-keeper shall remain wholly behind the wicket at the striker’s end from the moment the ball comes into play until a ball delivered by the bowler touches the bat or person of the striker or passes the wicket at the striker’s end or the striker attempts a run.”

“In the event of the wicket-keeper contravening this Law, the striker’s end umpire shall call and signal No ball as soon as applicable after the delivery of the ball,” it adds.