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Uma Chetry, making her international debut as wicketkeeper for India in the second T20I against South Africa, stepped into the playing XI in place of the injured Richa Ghosh. This marked a significant moment in her career, but it would be one filled with both highs and lows.
Agony for Uma Chetry
Chetry’s debut took a dramatic turn early in the match when she swiftly stumped Tazmin Brits off the bowling of Sajeevan Sajana in just the second over. Initially jubilant, Chetry’s celebrations were cut short when the third umpire intervened.
Upon review, it was adjudged that Chetry had collected the ball fractionally in front of the stumps before dislodging the bails. This technical infringement led to the dismissal being overturned, causing visible disappointment and frustration for the debutante. The review process emphasized the precision required in international cricket, with third umpire Jayaraman Madanagopal meticulously analyzing the incident. Chetry’s inadvertent breach of the law resulted in the on-field umpire signaling a no-ball, sparing Brits and allowing her innings to continue.
Here’s the video:
NOT OUT & a NO-BALL 😳
Uma Chetry's gloves weren't fully behind the stumps when collecting the ball 🤏#INDvSA #JioCinemaSports #IDFCFirstBankWomensT20ITrophy pic.twitter.com/UCOxLMHJac
— JioCinema (@JioCinema) July 7, 2024
Also READ: BCCI announces India Women’s squad for Asia Cup 2024, Smriti Mandhana to be Harmanpreet Kaur’s deputy
MCC law explanation
The decision hinged on adherence to MCC Law 27.3, which dictates that the wicketkeeper must remain wholly behind the stumps until the ball is delivered.
“The wicketkeeper shall remain wholly behind the wicket at the striker’s end from the moment the ball comes into play until a ball delivered by the bowler touches the bat or person of the striker or passes the wicket at the striker’s end or the striker attempts a run. In the event of the wicket-keeper contravening this Law, the striker’s end umpire shall call and signal No ball as soon as applicable after the delivery of the ball,” the law reads further.
Redemption and successful dismissal
Undeterred by the setback, Chetry demonstrated resilience as the match progressed. Later in the game, she seized a moment of redemption by executing a flawless stumping off Deepti Sharma‘s bowling to dismiss Brits. This successful dismissal marked Chetry’s first international stumping, showcasing her ability to recover from adversity and contribute positively to the team’s performance.
However before being eventually got out, Brits, having capitalized on her earlier reprieve, went on to score a crucial 52 runs off 39 balls. Her aggressive batting provided South Africa with momentum, enabling them to post a competitive total of 177/6 in their allotted 20 overs. Brits’ innings proved pivotal in shaping the match dynamics and setting a challenging target for India to chase.
Upcoming final match: India vs South Africa
The match was unfortunately disrupted by rain, resulting in its abandonment without India having the opportunity to bat. Looking ahead, both teams will now prepare for the final encounter scheduled for July 9 at the same venue in Chennai.
South Africa will seek to capitalize on their series lead and secure victory, aiming to maintain their dominance over India in the series after suffering facing whitewash in the two-third part of the multi-format series. Meanwhile, India will be determined to win the final match and level the series, emphasizing their competitive spirit and resolve to perform under pressure in international cricket.
