'Something we need to look at going forward' - Mahela Jayawardene calls for rule change after RR-DC no-ball controversy

The infamous no-ball incident involving the Delhi Capitals skipper Rishabh Pant during the match against Rajasthan Royals has evoked mixed reactions from the members of the cricketing fraternity. After RR coach Kumar Sangakkara made it clear that the umpires’ decisions need to be respected, his former Sri Lankan teammate Mahela Jayawardene has urged for a change in the laws.

Giving further clarification on the same, the Mumbai Indians head coach has said that while the on-field umpires did follow the rules, the issue was needlessly blown out of proportion over not referring to the third umpire, which even resulted in the stoppage of the game for a while. At the same time, he also added that tempers flared since it was the final over of the contest.

It was disappointing to see that people came on the field: Mahela Jayawardene

“It is something going forward that I think we need to look at. Is there an option for the third umpire to look at these things and inform the main umpires that it is a delivery that should be checked. It was disappointing to see that when you stop a game and have people come on to the field, but I honestly believe it was just emotions carrying over in the last over. But the rules say you can’t go to the third umpire to check on those things,” said Jayawardene while speaking on The ICC Review.

“The spirit of the game and to see things moving forward, it is never an option for a player or a coach to come on to the field. We saw it on television… most of the guys were watching it together and afterwards we had a chat. We probably would have reacted (similarly) in the dugout, but it is never an option to go on to the field,” he added.

After the third delivery bowled by West Indies pacer Obed McCoy to Rovman Powell was not referred to the third umpire for a waist height no-ball, an angry Pant urged both batters to leave the field while he was also involved in a heated argument with the match officials as well as Jos Buttler, who was fielding close to the boundary.

Assistant coach Pravin Amre, on the other hand, stomped into the field to have a chat with the on-field umpires. The duo was heavily penalized for breaching the Code of Conduct. While Pant was fined his entire match fees, Amre was also fined 100% of his match fees and was handed a one-match ban.