IPL 2025: Sunil Narine's Hit-Wicket Sparks Controversy During KKR vs RCB Match, But Why Wasn't It Given Out?- Explained

Sunil Narine: The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season kicked off with a bang at Eden Gardens, featuring an intense clash between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).

The match had its share of electrifying moments, but none more dramatic than a contentious hit-wicket incident involving KKR's explosive all-rounder, Sunil Narine.

The moment of controversy occurred in the seventh over of KKR's innings when Rasikh Salam delivered a sharp short ball. Attempting to sway away, Narine inadvertently brushed his bat against the stumps, causing the bails to dislodge. Despite the visible dislodging of the bails, the on-field umpires deemed him not out, leading to a wave of confusion and visible frustration from the RCB fielders.

The decision revolved around a crucial interpretation of the MCC Laws of Cricket, specifically Law 35.2. According to the rule, a batter is only declared out hit-wicket if they disturb the stumps during their act of playing the ball, beginning a run, or making a second attempt to hit the delivery. However, if the ball has already been deemed dead or the action is completed, the batter is not considered out.

In this case, the umpires determined that Narine's bat made contact with the stumps only after the ball had safely landed in wicketkeeper Jitesh Sharma's gloves and the delivery was effectively over. Furthermore, the delivery was called a wide due to its excessive height, further cementing the decision in Narine's favor.

While RCB's captain Rajat Patidar voiced his displeasure, the Knight Riders capitalized on the lifeline. Narine played a brisk knock, scoring 44 off 26 balls, adding vital runs to KKR's total. His partnership with skipper Ajinkya Rahane, who smashed a quickfire fifty, turned the tide in favor of the defending champions.

KKR were cruising at that point of the game but then Krunal Pandya turned the tides around with quick wickets eventually restricting the defending champions to 174/8 after 20 overs of play.