T20 World Cup 2024

Dead ball or byes? Here is free-hit controversy from India vs Pakistan clash explained

The India vs Pakistan encounter in the ongoing 20-20 World Cup is being hailed as the greatest T20I ever due to sheer drama throughout the match. India managed to win the game in the controversial final over where Pakistan were unhappy with a couple of decisions of the umpire. After a marginal ‘no ball’ call on the third ball of the final over which was a high full toss, India were given a free hit on which Virat Kohli was clean bowled.

However, the Indian batters ended up running three runs on the free hit while the Pakistan players demanded it to be called a ‘dead-ball.’ The Incident took place on the fourth ball of the last over bowled by Mohammad Nawaz when India required 13 off three balls. Kohli smashed a six over deep mid-wicket on a waist-high full toss which was called a no ball hence the following delivery was going to a free-hit. Under pressure, Nawaz bowled a wide delivery resulting in the free-hit to be bowled again.

Nawaz managed to hit the stumps of Virat Kohli but since it was a free hit Kohli and Dinesh Karthik quickly completed three runs. But controversy ensued after the Pakistan players including captain Babar had a discussion with the umpire on whether the runs should be awarded to the Indian team. Eventually, on-field umpires gave the runs in India’s favour.

But what does the rule say? Can a batter run off a free hit despite being bowled? According to the MCC Laws of Cricket, the ball can only become dead when “it is finally settled in the hands of the wicketkeeper or of the bowler”, or when “a boundary is scored.” The ball can also be called a dead ball when “a batter is dismissed. The ball will be deemed to be dead from the instant of the incident causing the dismissal.”

The said law – 20.1.1 – also states the other different ways of declaring a ball dead, including the times when the umpire has the authority on the decision. With regards to the ball hitting the stumps, the umpire can call the ball dead when “one or both bails fall from the striker’s wicket before the striker has had the opportunity of playing the ball.”

Since a free-hit only allows four modes of dismissals — handled the ball, hit the ball twice, obstructing the field and run out — and bowled not being one of them, India were awarded the bye as the ball was still in play. As India needed 5 runs to win in three balls before the delivery was bowled, the equation came down to 2 needed in as many deliveries. While Karthik was stumped out on the next delivery, Ashwin kept his calm to guide India to win with a lofted shot over mid-off off the last ball.