‘What did the bowler do?’- Varun Chakravarthy reacts to ‘wicketkeeper no-ball’ call in MI vs SRH match

The KKR spinner Varun Chakravarthy is one among the people who has backed Ansari. The Karnataka native resorted to social media to voice his displeasure with the ruling, which fully complies with the MCC Laws of C Cricket.

Varun Chakravarthy stated that it should have been a dead ball since the fielding unit was penalised for a mistake that the bowler did not even make when delivering the ball.

On Thursday, April 17, the Mumbai Indians defeated Sunrisers Hyderabad handily in IPL 2025 Match No. 33. After winning the toss at the legendary Wankhede Stadium, MI ordered SRH to score a total. Despite losing only five wickets, the opposition managed to score 162. Although the win had become a formality for the team, there were a few contentious moments that captured the attention, even though the hosts chased down the total in the 19th over itself.

The umpires declared it a no-ball after MI batter Ryan Rickelton was caught in the deep after SRH wicketkeeper Heinrich Klaasen was caught by the third umpire for having his gloves ahead of the line of the wickets at the time of delivery by Zeeshan Ansari. The rule was unclear to many, and some individuals felt that Ansari was being treated unfairly.

It should be a dead ball and a warning to the keeper to avoid doing that again if his gloves come in front of the stumps! Not a free hit and no-ball! Thinking aloud, what did the bowler do? After the game ended, he wrote on X, “What do you all think???”

If the keeper’s gloves come in front of the stumps, it should be a dead ball and a warning to the keeper so that he doesn’t do that again !!! Not a no ball and a free hit!! What did the bowler do
Thinking out loud!! What do u all think???

— Varun Chakaravarthy (@chakaravarthy29) April 17, 2025

What is stated in the rule?

Nevertheless, in accordance with the rulebook, the fourth umpire Akshay Totre’s suggestion to bring Rickelton back to the crease was quite reasonable, regardless of the controversy.

From the time the ball enters play until it strikes the bat or the striker’s person, passes the wicket at the striker’s end, or the striker tries a run, the wicketkeeper must stay completely behind the wicket at the striker’s end. The MCC Laws of Cricket state in the section on “Wicketkeeper’s position” that the umpire must call and signal a no-ball in the event of a legal infraction.