IPL 2025: Explained: How Jitesh Sharma’s Last Ball LBW DRS Exposed Cricket’s Weirdest Rule To Deny RCB One Run VS MI

Jitesh Sharma did not get a run despite a successful review |courtesy – screengrab

Jitesh ran a single and asked for DRS. The replays showed the ball’s impact outside the off-stump, leading to the decision being overturn. However, the not-out decision did not add to RCB’s run tally as the RCB wicket-keeper batter’s run tally remained the same. The Bengaluru-based side finished on 221 run as the extra run was not added to their tally.

Why Jitesh Sharma And RCB Were Denied Last Ball Run

As per International Cricket Council’s (ICC) playing conditions, a ball is declared once the umpire gives an ‘out’ decision. This remains true even if the review shows that the on-field decision was wrong and it is overturned. As the ball has been declared dead, any run taken by the batter does not count. Even if the ball reaches the boundary, it remains a dot ball.

“If following a Player Review request, an original decision of ‘Out’ is changed to ‘Not Out’, then the ball is still deemed to have become dead when the original decision was made. The batting side, while benefiting from the reversal of the dismissal, shall not benefit from any runs that may subsequently have accrued from the delivery had the on-field umpire originally,” Appendix D of ICC playing conditions state.

Last year, the rule led to a major controversy in the match between Bangladesh and South Africa in the 2024 T20 World Cup. The Proteas won the game by four runs in a tense last-ball finish. Earlier, in the 17th over of the Tigers’ run-chase, Mahmadullah successfully reviewed an LBW call against him. The umpire had given him out but the ball had reached the boundary. Had the umpire’s decision been not out, Bangladesh would have got four runs, but instead, it turned out to be a dot ball.

Talking about the match, Jitesh played a splendid knock of 40 in just 19 balls as RCB got a quick finish before half-centuries from Virat Kohli (67 of 42) and Rajat Patidar (62 of 34).

The DRS call also meant that Bumrah finished wicketless on his comeback. However, he conceded just 29 runs in four overs and was the only MI bowler to finish with an economy lesser than 10.