Disagreement in Delhi Capitals camp: Captain Rishabh Pant and assistant coach Shane Watson give different views on last over drama

Delhi Capitals and Rajasthan Royals were involved in a high-scoring thriller on Friday (April 22). Chasing 223 to win the game, the Capitals fell only 15 runs short with as many as 429 runs being scored in the game off 40 overs. But the thrilling encounter was marred by a no-ball controversy that happened after the third ball of the final over.

Obed McCoy’s hip-high full toss was smacked for a six by Rovman Powell but the on-field umpires not giving it a no-ball left the Delhi camp furious. Their skipper Rishabh Pant was so frustrated that he also called back his batters before sending one of the coaching staff members Pravin Amre on the field to speak to the umpires.

 "In the end, Powell gave us a chance," Pant told in the post-match ceremony. "I thought that no-ball could have been precious for us. I thought we could have checked that no-ball, but [that is] not in my control. Yes, disappointed, but can't do much about it. Everyone in the ground saw it. I think the third umpire should have interfered in between and said that was a no-ball, but I can't change the rule myself."

Speaking of the call to send Amre, Pant said, "Obviously, it wasn't right, but what happened wasn't also right". "It was heat of the moment, can't do much about it," he said. "I think it was fault of both the sides, not only us, because throughout the tournament we have been seeing some good umpiring. I thought we could have done pretty well."

"It was heat of the moment, can't do much about it" - Rishabh Pant

On the other hand, Assistant coach Shane Watson wasn’t happy with the actions of the team’s captain and regretted what happened in the last over. While Rishabh Pant later admitted that it wasn’t right to send someone on the field, he stuck to his argument that a no-ball should’ve been given and the third umpire could’ve interfered to make a correct call.

“Everyone in the ground saw it. I think third umpire should have interfered in between and said that was a no-ball, but I can't change the rule myself. Obviously, it wasn't right, but what happened wasn't also right. It was heat of the moment, can't do much about it. I think it was fault of both the sides, not only us, because throughout the tournament we have been seeing some good umpiring. I thought we could have done pretty well,” he said in the post-match presentation ceremony.

Watch what happened in the final over here

However, Watson was of the opinion that the team should’ve accepted the umpire’s decision, right or wrong. He was also not happy that Pravin Amre stormed on the field to talk to the umpires and termed it as ‘not good enough’ from his team.

“It is very disappointing what happened in that last over. Unfortunately, we were in that position in the game because we were not able to put things together for long enough throughout that game up until that point. In the end, the one thing at the Delhi Capitals you don't stand for is what happened. The umpires' decision, whether it's right wrong, we have to accept it. Someone running on to the field certainly we can't accept. It's not good enough,” Watson said in the post-match press conference.

"We are always taught as youngsters all the way through that we have got to accept the umpires' decision" - Shane Watson

"There is no question when there is a big stoppage in play like that, it can change the momentum," Watson said. "It gave McCoy a little bit of time to regroup as well. That stoppage did play into Rajasthan Royals' hands. It was an unfortunate stoppage. In the end, the thing is you got to accept the umpires' decision no matter what it is - whether it is a good one or not so good one. You have just got to get on with the game. We are always taught as youngsters all the way through that we have got to accept the umpires' decision. That's what we should have done."