Sunil Narine Escapes Hit-Wicket Dismissal: Understanding the Rule

In an unusual incident during the IPL 2025 season opener between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), Sunil Narine was not given out despite hitting his own stumps. The moment left fans puzzled, leading to discussions about the laws of cricket governing such dismissals.

What Exactly Happened?

✅ 8th Over of KKR’s Innings: Narine was playing aggressively, batting at a strike rate of 169.23.
✅ Bowler: Rasikh Salam Dar delivered a short-pitched bouncer that went over Narine’s head.
✅ Leg Umpire Declared It a Wide Ball.
✅ Narine’s Bat Accidentally Hit the Stumps, Dislodging the Bails.
✅ RCB Fielders (Including Tim David) Appealed for Hit-Wicket.
✅ Umpire Denied the Appeal, Declaring Narine NOT OUT.

The decision shocked fans, as the visuals clearly showed the bails coming off, yet Narine continued batting.

Why Was Narine Not Given Out? The MCC Rule Explained

As per the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) Law 35.1.1, a batsman is out hit-wicket only if:

1️⃣ The batter dislodges the stumps while attempting a shot.
2️⃣ The batter breaks the stumps while completing a run.

🚨 However, in Narine’s case:
🔹 The ball was already called wide (meaning it was a dead ball).
🔹 Narine was not attempting a shot; he was simply avoiding the delivery.
🔹 Since his bat accidentally hit the stumps after the ball passed, it did not count as hit-wicket.

📜 Law 35 also states: If a batter loses balance and accidentally disturbs the stumps, it doesn’t result in a dismissal unless an active shot is played.

Social Media Reactions & On-Field Drama 😲📢

Following the decision, social media erupted with mixed reactions:

🔥 Some fans argued Narine should have been given out, as the stumps were broken.
🔥 Others defended the umpire’s call, pointing out that a wide ball is dead before further actions are considered.
🔥 Experts clarified that the MCC law was correctly applied, making it a fair decision.

🎙️ Commentators also discussed how this situation is rare in cricket, leading to confusion among fans and even players.

Final Thoughts: A Rare But Fair Call!

While seeing the bails fall usually means a dismissal, the technicality of the MCC rules saved Sunil Narine. This incident was a perfect example of why understanding the rulebook is crucial, even for die-hard cricket fans!

💬 What’s your opinion? Should the rule be changed, or was it a fair decision? Let us know! 🏏🔥