Players to have been out for obstructing the field in IPL

Any game is incomplete without a set of rules or protocols which needs to be adopted so that there can be a rightful and uniform way in which the game can be played. Similar is the case with cricket. The game has also seen a lot of changes over the years which have been made only to make the game more desirable and entertaining. Some of these changes have been debatable whereas there had been few which were certainly needed for an hour.

Amongst the rules obstructing the field is one of the most debated decisions which creates a lot of controversies when this rule is implemented. There have been multiple instances in which this instance has been recorded. 

Obstructing the field can be defined as the time when the batter at any time frame, while the ball is in play and, deprived of the consent of a fielder, the player tends to use the bat or even any part of the player to return the ball back to any fielder. In other words, the law also clarifies that if a player purposefully has tried to distract or even obstruct the fielding side using either any word or even any gesture, then they can be given out for obstructing the field.

 Let’s now look at some of these instances which have taken place in the Indian Premier League (IPL) although there have been only two instances where the batter was given out;

Yusuf Pathan vs Pune Warriors in 2013

In the 2013 edition of the IPL, playing for Kolkata Knight Riders Yusuf Pathan was given out for obstructing the field. Pathan also became the first player in the history of the IPL, who was given out in this fashion. 

An instance took place when Pathan tried a single after getting Wayne Parnell to throw him a yorker. As Pathan sprinted, the bowler tried to approach the ball, but Pathan pushed it with his foot, blocking the field. He was ruled out when the third umpire was consulted about the situation.

Amit Mishra vs Sunrisers in 2019

Another instance in the IPL regarding the obstruction took place when in the 2019 edition of IPL, Amit Mishra also got involved in one of such bizarre incidents.

During the 2019 IPL Eliminator game between Delhi Capitals and SunRisers Hyderabad, Amit Mishra altered the course and sprinted into the middle of the field. Thus, he became the second player in the IPL to get a punishment for blocking the field.