'Are you Legalizing a Beamer?': Sidhu Strongly Demands 'Change in Law' That Ruled Virat Kohli Out vs KKR

Former cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu has called for a change in the cricketing law that was referred to rule Virat Kohli out in the KKR vs RCB fixture at the Eden Gardens on Sunday. The ace batter was caught off-guard by a dipping high full toss from KKR pacer Harshit Rana. As Kohli looked to defend the beamer, he got a leading edge with the ball lobbing back to the bowler for an easy catch.

While the on-field umpires gave it out, the former RCB captain immediately called for a review, certain that the ball was above his waist. But he was left furious after the TV umpire didn’t overturn the decision.

The TV replays showed that Kohli was out of his crease when the ball made contact with his bat. It was predicted that the ball would have passed Kohli at a height of 0.92 meters from the ground. Kohli’s waist was measured at 1.04 metres meaning if the former RCB captain was in his normal stance, the ball would have passed below his waist and hence, it was a legal delivery.

Reacting strongly to this incident, Sidhu raised three questions and called for a change in this law for the betterment of the game.

“I’m disappointed, not only for Virat Kohli but for RCB as well. If you have a rule in place for the waist-height no-ball, did you notice he stood on his toes almost 6 inches high? Did u count those extra inches while measuring his height,” Sidhu pointed out.

The former India batter further asked if the decision-makers are legalizing a beamer, adding that generally bowlers apologize for such deliveries.

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“The biggest thing for me is that a beamer was legalized. Since I started playing the game, I have seen bowlers apologizing even if their attempted Yorker turned into a beamer and surprised the players. So, if the batter steps out and gets hit on the head or shoulder, won’t you even apologize? Are you legalizing a beamer,” Sidhu said.

“The point of impact on his bat was almost 1-1.5 feet higher than his waistline while he was six inches away from the batting crease. So, you mean the ball would dip by 2 feet while travelling those extra 6 inches?

“So, that’s why I say, this law must change for the better,” he concluded.

Kohli’s early dismissal hurt RCB yet again as they lost the 7^th game this season. Chasing 223, RCB dragged the contest into the final over but KKR held on to win by one run.