The World Cup concluded last Sunday with a heartbreak for the Indian team. However, excitement continued in the shortest format of the game as India’s first T20I against Australia on Thursday unfolded in a thrilling finish at Visakhapatnam. After the Aussies posted a formidable score of 208/3 in 20 overs, thanks to Josh Inglis’ brilliant 110 off just 50 balls, captain Suryakumar Yadav and Ishan Kishan produced outstanding half-century knocks, bringing the hosts close to the finishing line. Nonetheless, the departure of the duo propelled the Aussies back into the game, and a tight penultimate over from Nathan Ellis, in which he only conceded 6 runs, made the match exciting right at the end.
The equation still favored India, with the side requiring 7 runs off the last over. Rinku Singh smashed a four off the first ball of the over from Sean Abbott, reducing the requirement to 3 off 5 balls. Although the left-hander failed to connect on the second ball, Abbott’s pulled length allowed him to take a single as the wicketkeeper, Matthew Wade, fumbled in his collection.
With 2 runs required off 4 balls, Axar Patel swung his bat on a length delivery but couldn’t connect properly, resulting in a top edge. Abbott kept his calm, taking a simple catch over his shoulder to dismiss Axar and bringing spinner Ravi Bishnoi to the strike.
On the third ball, Bishnoi missed the connection with the ball as he went for a hook shot, but Rinku’s quick sprint ensured that he regained the strike, leading to Bishnoi being run out at the other end.
With Arshdeep at the non-striker, Rinku smashed the penultimate delivery, a slower ball, towards deep midwicket. Going for a second run, Rinku made it to the crease, but Arshdeep fell short of his ground at the bowler’s end. India lost their third wicket in as many deliveries, but Rinku retained the strike to the dugout’s relief.
Rinku Singh’s last-ball six, however, was not counted. With 1 run required off the last over, Rinku dispatched the ball for a maximum over long on, but the six runs were not counted as the third umpire confirmed that Abbott had overstepped – it was a no-ball. Since India needed only one run to win, the no-ball had already ensured the match was over before the delivery could even reach Rinku Singh. Therefore, the left-hander’s lovely hit down the ground for a six was neither counted in India’s total nor in his personal scoresheet, as it came after India had already won the match.
As for the ICC’s Playing Conditions, or in simpler terms, the rules, according to ICC Men’s T20I Playing Conditions 16.5.1: “As soon as a result is reached as defined in clauses 16.1, 16.2 or 16.3.1, the match is at an end. Nothing that happens thereafter, except as in clause 41.17.2 (Penalty runs), shall be regarded as part of it.”
Interestingly, Rinku’s six would have counted if India needed more than a run to win. In that case, Abbott’s no-ball would have at best tied the scores, and the match would have still been alive.
“If a boundary is scored before the batters have completed sufficient runs to win the match, the whole of the boundary allowance shall be credited to the side’s total and, in the case of a hit by the bat, to the striker’s score.”
India’s 209-run chase was also their highest in T20I history, surpassing the previous record of 208 against West Indies in 2019. Additionally, this was India’s 5th successful chase of 200+ runs, the highest in T20Is; South Africa have chased a 200+ target on four occasions, while Pakistan and Australia have done it thrice.
