'Didn't expect this from you' - Cricket fraternity tears into Rishabh Pant for sending Pravin Amre to oppose umpires

Unfortunate scenes were witnessed during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 game between Delhi Capitals and Rajasthan Royals on Friday (April 22) as DC assistant coach Pravin Amre stormed onto the ground to oppose the on-field umpire’s decision. It all happened in the very last over of the game when the on-field umpires refused to adjudge Obed McCoy’s high full-toss a no-ball.

It was a crucial moment in the contest as DC required 36 in the final over and Rovman Powell dispatched McCoy’s first three deliveries for maximums. The third ball was a pretty high full-toss and the DC camp was convinced it was a no-ball. Skipper Rishabh Pant was furious with the decision as he seemingly tried to call the batters back and forfeit the game.

Rishabh Pant loses his cool!

The unthinkable happened when the southpaw sent Amre on the field to convey his stance. The game was halted for a while as the cricket world was in shock. There was no change in the decision as to the third umpire, as per laws, can’t intervene unless a wicket has fallen off a delivery. Fortunately, the game eventually resumed and RR clinched the high-scoring affair by 15 runs.

However, more than the result and significance of the game, the infamous controversy garnered the limelight. Several prominent members of the cricket fraternity also came forward and slammed Pant’s actions. Former England captain Kevin Pietersen was among many to tear into Pant as he termed the latter’s behavior ‘unacceptable’.

“It may have disrupted his concentration. It may have disrupted how Rishabh Pant was thinking about the game. That’s more concerning to me than the umpire call, the behaviour of Delhi,” Pietersen told Star Sports. Meanwhile, Pant, after the game, admitted his actions were not appropriate but also asserted that DC was undone by the decision.

“I thought that no-ball could have been precious for us but it is not in my control. Yes, disappointed but can’t do much about it. Everyone was frustrated (in the dugout) that it was not even close, everyone in the ground saw that, I think the third umpire should have interfered and said it was a no-ball. Obviously it wasn’t right (sending Amre onto the field) but what happened with us is also not right,” said the DC skipper.

Meanwhile, let’s look at how the cricket fraternity reacted to Rishabh Pant’s action:

Umpire made call, accept it. I am not that upset with Pant but more so some of the senior people around Pant in the dug out for not helping settle the situation. Momentum was with DC, pressure on bowler, carry on put batter in negative mood and bowler had time to calm. #DCvRR https://t.co/jTULwtDjKu

— Brad Hogg (@Brad_Hogg) April 23, 2022

To all who think that the umpires could have gone upstairs.Apparently you cannot. You can only go to the third umpire if a wicket has fallen off the debatable full toss. In this case the umpires may have misjudged the height but were following the regulations put in place #IPL

— Hemang Badani (@hemangkbadani) April 23, 2022

There are plenty of rules that need to change in cricket, with the game evolving over time I am sure this will evolve too. I just think we saw a great game of cricket and as much as we all love a bit of controversy the better team won in the end! #RRvsDC #IPL2022

— Abhinav Mukund (@mukundabhinav) April 22, 2022

I know this was in the heat of the moment but this should never happen ever.Completely concur that they should have gone to the third umpire but still no place for such things in this sport. The umpires r there for a reason & every now & then they will get a few decisions wrong. https://t.co/K5DTvXjZY8

— Hemang Badani (@hemangkbadani) April 23, 2022

Looking at the positive only, the post match interview of #Pant the Captain only goes to shows that he is now completely matured. Really enjoyed his interview with his balanced views on the game. Sky is the limit for him #RRvsDC

— MANOJ TIWARY (@tiwarymanoj) April 22, 2022

That was a clear no ball. #umpiring

— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) April 22, 2022

Bad sportsman spirit on display by #DelhiCapitals
Cricket is a game of gentlemen and this behaviour is completely unacceptable. #IPL20222 #DCvsRR

— Mohammed Azharuddin (@azharflicks) April 22, 2022

Didn’t expect Pant could do that. Not cricket. #IPL20222 pic.twitter.com/ab5yRzDQqg

— R P Singh रुद्र प्रताप सिंह (@rpsingh) April 22, 2022

Such is life that a matured man becomes immatured on the heat of moment #PravinAmre What were u doing Man ??? #RRvsDC

— MANOJ TIWARY (@tiwarymanoj) April 22, 2022

Feisty end to #DCvsRR Don’t agree with Pant wanting to call the players off.

— Lisa Sthalekar (@sthalekar93) April 22, 2022

So umpires check no balls for front foot every ball, but can’t check a high full toss? Makes sense… pic.twitter.com/RUOX3Yh3YF

— Glenn Maxwell (@Gmaxi_32) April 22, 2022