Abhishek Sharma celebrated his 11th T20I half-century against Ireland yesterday (June 26), but his score was later revised to 49. Here's why.
Abhishek got India off to a blistering start in their chase against Ireland. He hit consecutive boundaries in the opening over of the innings, and hit a six off the fifth innings of the next over, bowled by Jai Moondra. He reached a half-century in 19 balls, and was applauded by his teammates, wiht India 80-3 at that point. The next ball, he was out, having picked out deep midwicket playing an expansive shot.
However, after the innings had ended in a historic India loss, Abhishek's score was reverted to 49 off 20 balls. The issue centred around the ball after his six in the second over of the innings. Attempting a pull shot to a ball going down fine leg, the ball came off his thigh pad and rolled down to fine leg with the batters taking a single.
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Initially the ball was recorded as having come off the bat, adding a run to Abhishek's total. However, that was then corrected to a leg-by, which did not affect India's total score, but took one run off Abhishek's score.
The relevant clause in the ICC's Men's T20I Playing Conditions is 16.8, which concerns Mistakes in Scoring. The clause says: "If, after the players and umpires have left the field in the belief that the match has been concluded, the umpires discover that a mistake in scoring has occurred which affects the result then, subject to clause 16.9, they shall adopt the following procedure."
While the error in recording Abhishek's score would not have affected the result, the procedure for adjusting his score stands. Clause 16.8.2 says: If, at this call of Time, the overs have been completed and no Playing time remains, or if the side batting last has completed its innings, the umpires shall immediately inform both captains of the necessary corrections to the scores and to the result."
India lost to Ireland in a historic result in Belfast. It was Ireland's first-ever win over India in international cricket, and leaves India trailing in the series. They last lost a T20I series in August 2023.
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