Wadhera-Dhir Relay Catch Controversy: In one controversial moment during the Asia Cup Rising Stars match on November 16, India A fielders Nehal Wadhera and Naman Dhir were involved in a relay catch that the third umpire decided was not out. The call has since been highly debated as many feel it occurred due to a misinterpretation of cricket’s revised boundary-catching rule.
How the Wadhera-Dhir Relay Catch Happened
During the tenth over of the chase, Pakistan A opener Maaz Sadaqat tried to heave Suyash Sharma over cow corner.
Wadhera sprinted in from deep midwicket and took the catch cleanly.
Carried by the momentum towards the boundary, he smartly lobbed the ball to Dhir, running in from long-on.
Dhir completed the catch, seemingly making it a legitimate relay dismissal.
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However, the third umpire gave the not-out verdict, which confused players and viewers alike.
Understanding the New ICC Boundary Rule
Since June, a revised ICC rule has applied to catches involving jumps near or beyond the boundary. The key point:
A catch is also considered valid if a fielder has left the field of play, contacted the ball while in the air over the rope, and then landed back onto the field-but only if the final landing occurred inside before the ball is next touched.
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Why Wadhera-Dhir Catch Should Have Been Given Out
According to footage and expert interpretation:
Wadhera caught the ball completely inside the field of play.
Although his foot was hovering above the boundary cushion, it never touched the ground outside the rope while he had the ball in hand.
He released the ball to Dhir before stepping out of play, which is within the keeping of the law.
His subsequent landing outside the boundary does not invalidate the catch since he no longer was in contact with the ball.
Dhir’s catch inside the field further confirms its legality.
Two international umpires consulted by ESPNcricinfo agreed: the third umpire misapplied the law.
The Wrong Decision and Its Consequences
First, the relay catch of Wadhera-Dhir was wrongly given not out, and to add insult to injury, the officials gave it as a dot ball instead of a six.
Maaz Sadaqat from Pakistan meanwhile was on 56 and made full use of this reprieve to post an unbeaten 79 to guide Pakistan A to victory in 13.2 overs while chasing 137.
A Case of Misinterpreted Laws The verdict is clear: The Wadhera-Dhir relay catch in the Asia Cup Rising Stars encounter conformed to all requirements for a valid dismissal according to the revised ICC boundary rules. Expert umpires confirmed the catch should have been awarded out, making this one of the most notable officiating errors in the tournament so far.
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