Watch: Adam Gilchrist was left furious after a cheeky run-out attempt by a Rajasthan Royals player during IPL 2013, requiring skipper Rahul Dravid to intervene to cool things down and withdraw the appeal.
Playing for Kings XI Punjab in what was his final IPL season, Gilchrist was backing up at the non-striker’s end, when a throw from mid-on was fired at him. Reacting to the throw to protect himself, Gilchrist put his right hand out to defend the ball. The ball ricocheted off his glove and fell next to bowler Ajit Chandila, who instantly picked it up and flicked the bails off, with Gilchrist still making his way back in to his crease.
Almost instantly, Chandila raised his hands, gesturing an apology and withdrawing the appeal at the behest of Dravid, but Gilchrist was not amused, charging towards the bowler while also looking at the umpire for clarity. Dravid was later seen trying to calm Gilchrist down separately.
Years later, when asked on Fox Cricket by a comedian if it was a “low act” in cricket, Gilchrist said: “Look at my response”, indicating at replays that showed the incensed wicketkeeper-batter walk towards Chandila.
He also explained what exactly transpired after the bowler attempted the cheeky dismissal.
Gilchrist recalled his conversation with the bowler: “[I asked] ‘Are you sure you want to go ahead with the appeal?’ Because I was fending myself, and fortunately, his captain ran over – Rahul Dravid – one of the fairest man in cricket – and said we don’t want to go through with the appeal.”
