Was Phil Salt Catch Was Fair (Source: AFP)
IPL 2026 got their first controversial moment on Saturday when RCB were up against SRH in Match 1 of the ongoing edition at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru.
The incident happened during the 14th over of SRH’s innings when Heinrich Klaasen was on strike, facing Romario Shepherd. There, when Klaasen, batting on 22-ball 31, tried to pull a lofted shot against Shepherd, Salt somehow managed to keep the ball in his hand at deep mid wicket.
However, the reply showed there could be some part of his body which touched the boundary cushion before the ball was caught by Salt.
ICC Rules For Boundary Catches Explained
Last year in June, the ICC made several changes to its rules, which included the regulations of boundary catches. There, it stated:
- Changes to the playing conditions now require a fielder who makes airborne contact with the ball beyond the boundary to then land and remain inside the boundary.
- A fielder, after making their first contact with the ball subsequently leaves the field of play, can only make contact with the ball once more while airborne beyond the boundary.
- Having done so, they must land and remain wholly within the boundary. This applies even if another player completes the fielding. This change will be implemented in international cricket before it is included in the MCC Laws of Cricket next year.
It is important to understand that a player can touch the boundary cushion or go beyond it before grabbing the ball. However, once the ball is caught, the individual can not touch the boundary ropes. Otherwise, it will make an illegal catch.
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In Salt’s case, maybe he touched the boundary ropes before, but as the third umpire Rohan Pandit uttered, “I don't see any movement of the cushions,” indicating there was no clear boundary ropes brushing after the catch was taken.
Klaasen Not Pleased With Umpire's Call On Salt Catch
However, Klaasen was not too pleased with the decision for his wicket. In fact, he was seen having a conversation with the fourth umpire before returning to the pavilion.
There, he got the clarification that it was a fair catch, and Salt did not touch the boundary ropes after taking the catch. Hence, he was given out. Klaasen did not react after the fourth umpire’s explanation and began to walk back to the dressing room.
SRH Close On 201/9 Vs RCB
Eventually, SRH finished with 201/9 after 20 overs. Ishan Kishan was on a roll on his IPL captaincy debut, smashing 80 runs off just 38 deliveries which included eight fours and five sixes.
Aniket Verma gave the finishing touches, slamming four sixes and three fours in his fiery 18-ball 43 to take SRH past the finishing line. Heinrich Klaasen did his part as well, particularly when SRH were tumbling after Jacob Duffy's incredible IPL debut spell.
Also Read: Heinrich Klaasen Fights With Umpire After Phil Salt's Catch In RCB vs SRH Match
