India‘s journey in the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 got off to a rocky start with a disappointing 58-run defeat against New Zealand. The match, played in Dubai, was marred by a controversial run-out decision that sparked heated discussions and raised questions about the interpretation of the rules.

A one-sided encounter ended with controversy

New Zealand, batting first, set a target of 160/4, with Sophie Devine‘s unbeaten 57 being the highlight. India’s chase was derailed by Rosemary Mair‘s four-wicket haul, and they were eventually bowled out for 102. However, the match will be remembered more for a contentious incident that unfolded in the 14th over of the first innings.

Amelia Kerr, batting for New Zealand, played a shot to long-off and went for a single. Harmanpreet Kaur, fielding at long-off, believed the ball was dead and returned it to the bowler. However, Kerr, seeing an opportunity, attempted a second run. She was eventually run out, but by then, the umpire had already signalled the end of the over.

India appealed for a run-out, and even Kerr herself seemed to acknowledge the dismissal. However, the umpires ruled in favour of New Zealand, declaring the ball dead and the run-out invalid. This decision sparked a heated exchange between Harmanpreet and the umpires, highlighting the confusion surrounding the interpretation of the rules.

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Ravichandran Ashwin’s reaction on the fiasco

The incident quickly gained widespread attention, with many questioning the umpires’ decision and the clarity of the rules. Veteran India all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin took to social media to express his concerns, although he later deleted his post.

Ashwin’s tweet, which read, “The over was called before the start of the second run. Whose fault is this really? @prithinarayanan,” reflected the confusion and frustration surrounding the incident. His post, though deleted, sparked further discussions and debates about the rules and their implementation.

India’s road ahead in the global event

Despite the defeat and the controversy, India’s campaign is far from over. Harmanpreet acknowledged her team’s shortcomings in the opening match and emphasized the need for improvement.

“We didn’t play our best cricket today, going forward we have to think what areas we have to improve. Every game now is important and we have to play our best cricket,” she said.

The controversial run-out decision may have overshadowed India’s performance in the match, but it has also highlighted the need for clarity and consistency in the interpretation of the rules. As the tournament progresses, India will be eager to put this incident behind them and focus on their performance on the field.

Also READ: Women’s T20 World Cup 2024: Team India fumes with anger at umpires’ controversial non-run out decision on Amelia Kerr

This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.