
Indian women's team’s T20 World Cup contest opener was nothing short of dramatic incidents as skipper Harmanpreet Kaur and Smriti Mandhana were in the news on Friday (Oct 4). In India’s first match of the Women’s T20 World Cup against New Zealand, Harmanpreet was left furious after on-field umpires called back Amelia Kerr despite she was run out, causing an early controversy in the tournament. The decision was not met with open arms by the Indian contingent as skipper Harmanpreet was also joined by coach Amol Muzumdar in a mini-protest.
On the final ball of the 14th over in the New Zealand innings, Kerr had a shot at the long-off region which yielded her a single run. At the same time, the umpire at the bowler’s end handed bowler Deepti Sharma her cap, thus indicating the end of the over. While the bowler and umpire had formerly closed the over, New Zealand batters ran for a second run.
However, during this at the batter’s end, Kerr was adjourned and run out as she was short of her crease. The decision was also confirmed by the leg umpire with Kerr on her way back to the pavilion.
But it proved to be the start of the controversy as the third umpire instructed the on-field umpires to recall Kerr as the ball had already been dead before they ran for the second run which resulted in the runout. The phase of play for the runout was void as the ball was already dead according to the umpire. While Kerr returned back to bat, Harmanpreet was not convinced and protested against the decision. She was supported by Smriti Mandhana and coach Muzumdar as they were near the boundary line.
However, justice was quickly served with Kerr getting dismissed on the second ball of the 15th over, thereby lasting just two balls after her controversial reprieve.