‘India making new technology day by day’ – Fans troll umpire as he didn’t give no ball despite using ball tracking during the Womens T20 League fixture

Published on March 6, 2023

On Saturday, March 5, Mumbai’s Brabourne Stadium hosted the second game of the Women’s T20 League match between the Delhi franchise and the Bangalore franchise. The ball-tracking method was only frequently used throughout the game to decide a no-ball call. Normally, Leg Before Wicket (LBW) in DRS review is determined using ball tracking technology.

As Megan Schutt’s full toss was bowled to her, Delhi batter Jemimah Rodrigues chose to review a waist-high no-ball because the on-field umpire had failed to signal one. The ball was set to hit the stumps after it crossed Jemimah, proving that the delivery wasn’t a no-ball.

The altered Women’s T20 League playing conditions allowed Rodrigues to use DRS review for a no-ball. “A player may also be allowed to review any decision taken by on-field umpires concerning wide or no ball,” section 3.1.1 of the Women’s T20 League playing regulation says.

Tara Norris shines as Delhi defeat Bangalore in Women’s T20 League

The Mumbai franchise skipper Harmanpreet Kaur used the new rule for the first time in the Women’s T20 League game when she appealed an umpire’s verdict of wide on a pitch against the Gujarat franchise batter Monica Patel that she had edged during the tournament opener.

“Any delivery, which passes or would have passed, without pitching, above waist height of the striker standing upright at the popping crease, is to be deemed to be unfair. Whenever such a delivery is bowled, the umpire shall call and signal No ball,” according to Apex Cricket Council’s no ball rule.

Batting first in the game, Delhi amassed 223/2 in 20 overs. The top two scorers for the franchise in the match were Shafali Verma (84 runs off 45 balls) and Meg Lanning (72 runs off 43 balls). In response, Bangalore could only manage to score 163 runs in 20 overs, giving Delhi a victory to kick off their Women’s T20 League season. For Delhi, the pick of the bowler was USA’s Tara Norris snapped five wickets in his spell of four overs and conceded just 29 runs.

Here’s how fans reacted to the no-ball decision on social media:

No ball thi hi nahi
She was bending her knees so it wasn't a no ball
For no ball to be given a batter needs to be standing upright and stationary
— Amaan Sarwar (@AmaanSarwar4) March 6, 2023

Reminds of this LOL😂 pic.twitter.com/qH4Iuu6XGw
— Balram Bhala (@BalramBhala) March 5, 2023

Ball was little bit higher than this but good call
— aditya (@AdityaShomil) March 5, 2023

Even in IPL 2023 players can review for no Balls and wides
— Nareshkumar – நரேஷ்குமார் (@nareshkumarsiva) March 6, 2023

I may be wong but how much I know
It should be checked wheather plyer played that above waist or not
I saw clearly it was above
I doesn't matter wheather ball dipping after that or not
— Gourab Saha (@Gourabsaha611) March 5, 2023

This technology seems doubtful and not reliable as keeper is expecting to catch the ball much higher, in case batter misses the ball, than the projected ball trajectory
— Anshuman Singh (@AnshumanSingh0) March 5, 2023