'I think it is the umpires who control the game' - RR coach Kumar Sangakkara on the infamous no-ball incident vs DC

Rajasthan Royals head coach Kumar Sangakkara has opened up on the controversial no-ball incident during the game against Delhi Capitals. The DC skipper Rishabh Pant protested against the umpire’s decision after a six hit by Rovman Powell claiming that it was a no-ball with the delivery being a waist-high full toss.

Giving clarification on the same, Sangakkara has said that it is the umpires that control the game. Furthermore, the former Sri Lankan stumper also said that with a lot of pressure involved in IPL and the possibility of the situation going either way, there is a huge responsibility on the umpires’ shoulders to ensure that the game is conducted smoothly. At the same time, he also made it clear that he is no one to dictate terms in this matter.

There is a lot of pressure and tension in the IPL: Kumar Sangakkara

“I think it is the umpires that control the game. There is a lot of pressure and tension in the IPL. Things can go either way, when you have a situation like that, in the end, the umpires control the situation. And the game went on. That’s how I look at it. I don’t think I can really dictate what is acceptable and what’s not,” said Kumar Sangakkara in a press conference.

“At the end of the day, it is the players out there who play and the umpires have a tough job in terms of calling the game and our job as support staff is basically to support the players out there and let the game be played,” he added.

After the third ball of the final over bowled by the West Indies pacer, Obed McCoy was not declared a no-ball a furious Rishabh Pant asked the batters to walk off the field and also had a heated argument with the match officials and RR player Jos Buttler who was fielding near the boundary.

Rajasthan Royals eventually went on to win the contest by 15 runs. Nonetheless, Pant had to face the consequences of his actions and was fined his entire match fees.