New Delhi, 06 April (H.S.):

Lucknow Super Giants' victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad on Sunday (April 5) in IPL 2026 has sparked controversy centering on pacer Avesh Khan's actions during the final over.

With LSG needing one run to tie and win off Jaydev Unadkat's last ball, Rishabh Pant struck a boundary. Near the LSG dugout, Avesh—still in batting pads—hit the ball back with his bat before it fully crossed the rope, prompting claims of interference. Social media debates invoked Law 20.1 (dead ball) and Law 41 (unfair play), arguing SRH deserved five penalty runs.

Cricket law experts clarified Avesh's unprofessional act didn't obstruct fielding efforts, as no fielder pursued the ball; thus, no unfair play ruling applies. An umpire noted no grounds existed to disallow the boundary given the tied scores and one-run need.

Sources indicate SRH may lodge a BCCI complaint, amid prior umpiring grievances: RCB match's Heinrich Klaasen's disputed catch by Phil Salt; KKR game's Abhishek Sharma dismissal and Varun Chakravarthy's drop of Blessing Muzarabani. Despite a prior win, they lost to RCB on March 29; franchise eyes formal escalation despite unchangeable outcomes.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar