Jason Holder’s catch to dismiss Rajat Patidar in the Gujarat Titans (GT) vs the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) match in Ahmedabad has stirred up controversy. The incident occurred in the 8th over of the first innings when Holder claimed a diving catch while running from deep backward square leg to fine leg.
Holder’s Patidar catch causes controversy
Patidar had top-edged the ball while trying to pull Arshad Khan. Kagiso Rabada ran back and almost collided with Holder in the process. Everyone assumes that the tall all-rounder had dropped it. But no, Holder has somehow managed to grab it with his left hand.
Patidar started to walk back. The third reviewed the catch and adjudged him out. However, Patidar stopped near the boundary line when the visuals were shown on the big screen. The RCB camp wasn’t too pleased. Virat Kohli was almost ready to storm into the ground. Both he and RCB head coach Andy Flower argued with the fourth umpire on the sidelines about the decision. You see, the ball had touched the ground, and that’s why RCB felt it was out.
What MCC’s catching law says
However, despite the ball touching the ground, the catch was indeed clean. When judging the legitimacy of catches, umpires place control at the top. In this case, the ball did touch the ground. But it was in between Holder’s fingers, and he was in full control. Law 33 (33.2.2.1) in the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) rule book clearly stated this.
“The ball is held in the hand or hands of a fielder, even if the hand holding the ball is touching the ground, or is hugged to the body, or lodges in the external protective equipment worn by a fielder, or lodges accidentally in a fielder’s clothing,” the law reads.
The third umpire, Abhijit Bhattacharya, felt Holder was in control of the ball and therefore was correct in adjudging Patidar out. It seems like most aren’t aware of the law, even cricketers and coaches. For them, if the ball touches the ground, it’s not out. Which is true, more often than not. But, in this instance, they might be in the wrong.
Cricket
Jason Holder catch controversy: Why Rajat Patidar was adjudged 'out' in GT vs RCB match
