Did Digvesh Rathi Miss a Golden Opportunity to Run Out Ashutosh Sharma at the Non-Striker’s End? – Watch Video
Introduction
The IPL 2025 match between Delhi Capitals (DC) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) was full of drama, but one of the most talked-about moments came when LSG’s mystery spinner, Digvesh Rathi, seemingly had a chance to run out Ashutosh Sharma at the non-striker’s end but chose not to. This decision has sparked debate among fans and experts alike. Did Rathi miss a golden opportunity? Could this moment have changed the outcome of the game? Let’s break it down in detail.
What Exactly Happened?
During the crucial final overs of the match, with DC needing quick runs to chase down the target, Ashutosh Sharma was backing up too far at the non-striker’s end. As Digvesh Rathi ran in to bowl, he momentarily paused before delivering the ball, noticing Ashutosh out of his crease. However, instead of whipping off the bails and executing a ‘Mankad’ dismissal, Rathi chose to continue his delivery.
Had he gone through with the run-out, it could have sent Ashutosh Sharma back to the pavilion at a key moment. Instead, Ashutosh went on to play a match-winning knock, leading DC to an incredible one-wicket victory.
The Mankad Dismissal – Fair Play or Controversial?
The ‘Mankad’ dismissal, officially recognized under Law 38.3 of the MCC Laws of Cricket, allows a bowler to run out a non-striker who has left the crease before the ball is bowled. Despite being a legal mode of dismissal, it remains controversial, often sparking debates on the spirit of the game.
- Arguments For the Mankad:
- Ashutosh Sharma was clearly gaining an unfair advantage by leaving the crease early.
- Rathi was well within his rights to dismiss him and give LSG an upper hand.
- High-pressure matches demand tactical awareness, and a run-out here could have turned the tide in LSG’s favor.
- Arguments Against the Mankad:
- Many cricketers and fans believe that dismissing a batter this way goes against the spirit of the game.
- Some bowlers prefer to warn the batter before running them out.
- Rathi may have hesitated, thinking about the backlash he could receive for enforcing the rule.
How Did This Moment Impact the Match?
- Ashutosh Sharma’s Heroics:
- After surviving this non-dismissal, Ashutosh Sharma continued to play a blistering innings, guiding DC to victory.
- His ability to score under pressure made him the standout performer of the game.
- LSG’s Missed Opportunity:
- Had Rathi run Ashutosh out, DC would have been in deep trouble, possibly changing the match’s outcome.
- LSG lost a golden chance to dismiss a key batter cheaply.
- Debates Over Rathi’s Decision:
- Some praised Rathi’s sportsmanship for choosing not to go for the dismissal.
- Others criticized him, arguing that elite-level cricket requires taking every opportunity to win.
What Experts Are Saying
Several former cricketers and analysts weighed in on the incident:
- Sunil Gavaskar: “This is a professional sport. If a batter is taking advantage by stepping out early, the bowler has every right to dismiss him. Rathi missed a huge opportunity.”
- Harsha Bhogle: “While I understand why Rathi hesitated, in a close game like this, small moments make the difference. Ashutosh made LSG pay for that missed chance.”
- Ravi Shastri: “The Mankad dismissal is legal. If you don’t want to be dismissed that way, stay inside your crease. Simple.”
Final Verdict: Did Rathi Make a Mistake?
While Digvesh Rathi’s decision not to run out Ashutosh Sharma may have upheld the ‘spirit of cricket’ for some, it undeniably cost LSG dearly. IPL matches are often decided by split-second decisions, and this was one such moment where a more ruthless approach could have changed the course of the game.
The debate will rage on, but one thing is clear: Ashutosh Sharma capitalized on the second chance and made Rathi’s decision look even more costly. If there’s one lesson to take away from this incident, it’s that in high-stakes cricket, hesitation can be the difference between victory and defeat.
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What do you think? Should Digvesh Rathi have gone through with the dismissal, or was he right to let it go? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
