It is often said that cricket is a game full of surprises. The players always strive to outperform their opponents by employing their strategic abilities and talents. However, there are times when the pressure of a match or critical game circumstances can result in peculiar occurrences.
Here's my rewrite: "During the Indian Premier League (2022), some peculiar moments caught the attention of cricket fans. In this article, we'll examine the top five of these bizarre moments."
Ashwin retiring out
The IPL witnessed an unusual incident during Match 20 of the 2022 season, featuring Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). RR made a slow start, scoring less than 70 runs in the first 10 overs with four wickets down. To build a partnership and set a decent total, the team management sent Ashwin in at number six. Although he took some time to get going, he eventually hit two sixes and helped the team increase the run rate.
Nevertheless, Ashwin struggled to connect with the ball and failed to score any runs in the latter part of his innings. As a result, he opted to retire himself and sent the finisher Riyan Parag to the crease in the 19th over. This decision was made in an attempt to bolster the Royals' score in the final overs.
Bails lit up but no wicket!
Match 58 of IPL 2022 between Rajasthan Royals and Delhi Capitals witnessed a peculiar incident where David Warner escaped being dismissed despite the ball hitting the stumps. In the 9th over of DC's innings, leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal's delivery broke through the defence of the Australian batsman, but the zing bails remained intact. This surprising turn of events left Chahal and wicketkeeper Sanju Samson stunned. Warner capitalized on the opportunity and went on to score an unbeaten 52, leading his team to victory.
Ishan Kishan's unlucky dismissal against LSG
IPL 2022's Match 31 had a bizarre dismissal of Mumbai Indians' (MI) wicketkeeper Ishan Kishan against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). During the 8th over of the match, Ravi Bishnoi threw a ball off-side, and Kishan tried to play a one-handed shot but only managed to edge it. The ball then hit the boots of Quinton de Kock and bounced towards Jason Holder, who made the catch.
Sanju Samson taking review for a wide
In Match 47 of IPL 2022 between Rajasthan Royals and Kolkata Knight Riders, the typically composed RR captain Sanju Samson showed a rare moment of anger. With KKR needing 18 runs in the last two overs, RR bowler Prasidh Krishna conceded seven runs, including a wide. On the next ball, Rinku Singh stepped across the tramline to play a yorker on the off-side, but he missed the ball. The umpires called it a wide, which infuriated Samson.
After the umpire's call of a wide, Sanju Samson, the captain and wicketkeeper of Rajasthan Royals, opted for the Decision Review System (DRS) in Match 47 of IPL 2022 against Kolkata Knight Riders. However, the review was unsuccessful as the on-field wide call cannot be overturned by the third umpire. The game ended with KKR securing their first win in five matches.
Marcus Stoinis' outburst after his dismissal
In Match 31 of the tournament, Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) batter Marcus Stoinis was seen hurling abuses at the umpire after his dismissal in a crunch moment against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). With 34 runs needed off 12 balls, the team was counting on the finishing abilities of the experienced Aussie batter to win the match.
On the first delivery of the over, Josh Hazlewood bowled a wide delivery on the off-side, and Stoinis moved across to play it but left it expecting the umpire to call it a wide. However, the umpire did not give the wide, which prompted Stoinis to make a gesture toward the umpire. Hazlewood then bowled a yorker on the next delivery, which beat Stoinis's movement and hit the stumps, resulting in the batsman's dismissal. Stoinis reacted angrily and directed abusive language towards the umpire. Unfortunately for LSG, they lost the match by 18 runs.