Controversial Call: The Unfinished Over of Jharkhand’s Vikash in SMAT 2025-26
During a Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) match against Rajasthan in Ahmedabad on Monday, Jharkhand bowler Vikash Singh was not permitted to finish his over or spell. The left-arm pacer received a third warning from the umpires for entering the protected area during his follow-through on the fourth ball of the 15th over, with Rajasthan chasing 216 runs. As a result, Vikash had to halt his over, concluding with bowling figures of 3.4-0-32-1. Left-arm spinner Anukul Roy completed the remaining two deliveries of the 15th over.
Jharkhand emerged victorious over Rajasthan by 36 runs, maintaining their unbeaten streak and securing the top spot in Group A with 28 points from seven matches.
MCC Law 41.13 – Explained
41.13: Bowler Running on Protected Area
41.13.1: It is deemed unfair for a bowler to step into the protected area during their follow-through without just cause, irrespective of whether the ball is delivered.
41.13.2: Upon the first violation of this law, and once the ball is dead, the umpire must:
- Caution the bowler and inform the other umpire of the incident. This caution remains effective for the entire innings.
- Notify both the fielding side’s captain and the batters about the incident.
41.13.3: If the same bowler breaches this law again in the same innings, the umpire will repeat the above process, indicating it is a final warning, applicable throughout the innings.
41.13.4: Upon a third infringement during the innings, when the ball is dead, the umpire will:
- Instruct the fielding side’s captain to immediately suspend the bowler from bowling. If necessary, another bowler, who has not bowled any part of the previous over or is due to bowl the next over, will complete the over. The suspended bowler is barred from bowling for the remainder of the innings.
- Inform the other umpire of the reason for the action, and also inform the batters and, at the earliest opportunity, the captain of the batting side about the occurrence.
The umpires shall report the incident promptly after the match to the Executive of the offending team and any Governing Body responsible, who will consider appropriate action against the captain, any other involved individuals, and the team if necessary.
Published on Dec 08, 2025
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