‘What did the bowler do?’ – Varun Chakravarthy reacts to ‘wicketkeeper no-ball’ call during MI vs SRH clash

Chakaravarthy on wicketkeeper no ball rule during MI vs SRH (Photo source: BCCI/IPL)

Mumbai Indians won a convincing victory against Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Match No. 33 of IPL 2025 on Thursday, April 17. MI had asked SRH to put up a total after winning the toss at the iconic Wankhede Stadium, where the opposition posted 162 despite losing just five wickets. The total was chased down in the 19th over itself by the hosts, but there were some controversial moments that grabbed the spotlight as the win had become a formality for the side.

SRH wicketkeeper batter Heinrich Klaasen was caught by the third umpire for having his gloves ahead of the line of the wickets at the time of delivery by Zeeshan Ansari, which led to the officials to call it a no-ball after MI batter Ryan Rickelton was caught in the deep. Many  people did not understand the rule, while some also thought that it was unfair on Ansari.

Among those who have come in support of Ansari is the KKR spinner Varun Chakravarthy. The Karnataka-born took to social media and expressed being upset at the decision, which is completely as per the MCC Laws of C Cricket. Since the bowler was punished for a mistake he did not even commit while delivering the ball, and it was the fielding team, Chakravarthy said that it should have been called a dead ball instead.

“If the keeper’s gloves come in front of the stumps, it should be a dead ball and a warning to the keeper so that he doesn’t do that again !!! Not a no-ball and a free hit!! What did the bowler do, thinking out loud!! What do u all think???” he wrote on X, following the conclusion of the game.

What does the rule say?

However, despite the debate, the fourth umpire Akshay Totre’s request to send Rickelton back to the crease was completely fair as per the rulebook.

“The wicketkeeper shall remain wholly behind the wicket at the striker’s end from the moment the ball comes into play until it either touches the bat or person of the striker, or passes the wicket at the striker’s end, or the striker attempts a run. In case of a violation of the law, the umpire is required to call and signal a no-ball,” the MCC Laws of Cricket reads in the clause of “Wicketkeeper’s position.”

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