Why Raghuvanshi was given out: Obstructing the field rule explained

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) batter Angkrish Raghvanshi became only the fourth player in the history of the Indian Premier League (IPL) to be given out obstructing the field by the umpires during their game against the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at the Ekana International Stadium on Sunday, April 26.

Towards the end of the fifth over, Raghuvanshi nudged the ball to mid-on and strived to take a quick single. Cameron Green, however, sent him back from the non-striker’s end. In trying to return on time, the right-handed batter strided on the middle of the pitch before making a quick change in direction, which came in within the line of the ball.

Despite the controversy that followed afterwards, third umpire Rohan Pandit was absolutely correct with his decision. According to the laws, no batter is allowed to change the direction significantly whilst running and not without any probable cause. Clause 37.1.4 in IPL’s playing conditions does state the following regarding obstructing the field. 

“For the avoidance of doubt, if an umpire feels that a batter, in running between the wickets, has significantly changed his direction without probable cause and thereby obstructed a fielder’s attempt to effect a run out, the batter should, on appeal, be given out, obstructing the field. It shall not be relevant whether a run out would have occurred or not,” reads the said clause. 

According to ESPNCricinfo, the third umpire pundit tried to look hard to find if Raghuvanshi had any probable cause, which would have given him the benefit of doubt in this delicate situation. However, when he could not find any, there was no other option for him to declare him out. It would have otherwise been harder to defend a not-out decision than an out one. 

It is worth mentioning that it is not the umpire’s job to learn the intent behind the change in direction by the batter. 

Raghuvanshi has joined a very select group to hold the unenviable honour of being dismissed for obstructing the field in the IPL. Other players in the list include Yusuf Pathan (2013), Amit Mishra (2019) and Ravindra Jadeja (2024).