Here's why India got 3 runs despite Virat Kohli getting bowled on free hit
The match between India and Pakistan ended with the craziest finish that one could ever imagine. In the end, it was India that came out victorious and pulled off an incredible chase with four wickets in hand. Once again, it was Virat Kohli that stood between Pakistan and India.
He remained unbeaten on 83* off 53 balls with six fours and four maximums to help India clinch a brilliant chase. However, it wasn't that easy for India. Rather, the fans saw a total blunder in the 20th over, when India needed 13 runs off 3 balls.
Mohammad Nawaz bowled a waist-high fulltoss to Virat Kohli, who pulled it for a six over the legside boundary. The square leg umpires gave it a no-ball for height, which created a lot of drama. Later, on the free hit, Kohli got bowled, but the ball hit the stumps and tickled down the point boundary.
India ran three runs, and it led to chaos on the field. Pakistani fielders, including skipper Babar Azam, came to the umpire and were seen questioning him about not signalling it as a bye. Instead, the umpire gave it as a three-bye. Former Australian leg-spinner Brad Hogg also took to Twitter and highlighted the controversial decision.
Why was no ball not reviewed, then how can it not be a dead ball when Kohli was bowled on a free hit. #INDvPAK #T20worldcup22 pic.twitter.com/ZCti75oEbd
— Brad Hogg (@Brad_Hogg) October 23, 2022
Without a doubt, those three runs helped India to reach close to the target. But many questions arose about why it was not called a dead ball despite the fact that the ball hit the stumps. So, as per the "20.1.1" cricket law suggested by the ICC, the ball can only be called dead if it is settled in the hands of the bowler or wicket-keeper.
Rule 20.1.1.2. says that a boundary is scored. One can see clause 19.7 (Runs scored from boundaries).
Rule 20.1.1.3 suggests that a batsman is dismissed. The ball will be deemed to be dead from the moment of the incident causing the dismissal.
And because it was a free hit and Kohli couldn't be given out, that's why it was not given as a dead ball. However, there was a moment when the ball hit by Shan Masood hit the spider cam and it was called a dead ball, but Pakistan were unlucky that the ball to Kohli was not a dead ball.
Notably, there was the same kind of incident that took place in the ongoing Women's Big Bash League earlier this week in a game between Melbourne Stars and Perth Scorchers.
The free hit is missed ... and it bounces off the stumps for four 😅 #WBBL08 pic.twitter.com/GtFfEMLi6v
— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) October 20, 2022
In the end, India chased down the target on the last ball of the match and made 160/6 to score a much needed two points for India on the table.