Explained: Why was SRH's Super Over score changed from 8/0 to 7/0?

Delhi Capitals and Sunrisers Hyderabad played out a thrilling super over in match 20 of the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL). Both the teams managed to score 159 runs in the stipulated 20 overs and the matter was taken to the super over. According to the rules, the team chasing had to bat first and so SRH batted first with David Warner and Kane Williamson walking out for them.

Axar Patel bowled a sensational over conceding only 8 runs as the over finished with Warner churning out two runs off the final delivery. However, SRH’s score was reduced to 7 runs by the officials in the break which left many fans confused.

Interestingly, the SRH skipper David Warner hadn’t completed the first run properly in the quest for taking a couple. The on-field umpire consulted the third umpire who confirmed after several replays that it was indeed a short run. Warner’s bat had touched the crease but according to the rules, it should cross it and the line belongs to the umpire.

Hence, it was deemed a short runs and at the last moment, SRH’s super over score was reduced from 8/0 to 7/0 and the target for DC was adjusted to 8 runs.

Warner’s short run cost SRH the game?

After the match went to the super over, many were expecting for Jonny Bairstow to come out and bat. He had scored 38 runs off 18 deliveries opening the innings in the chase. But David Warner and Williamson came out which surprised every one and eventually the former’s short run cost the team.

The chase went close as Rishabh Pant and Shikhar Dhawan couldn’t finish the game early. The Capitals’ skipper played an outrageous reverse sweep to churn a boundary but when the equation came down to two runs off three deliveries, Rashid Khan redeemed himself to bring it down a single run off the last ball.

Dhawan didn’t connect the final ball but the batsmen still managed to take a single and take DC home in a close encounter. In hindsight, Warner’s short run indeed played a crucial role in the outcome. It DC were chasing nine runs, then the match would’ve gone down to the double super over.