Last Updated:April 18, 2025, 19:34 IST

Did the umpires ignore Vignesh Puthur for bowling back-foot bo-balls like Mitchell Starc? Here’s the truth.

Vignesh Puthur bowled back-foot bo-balls like Mitchell Starc? (X)

Controversy has erupted yet again in the Indian Premier League (IPL). The Delhi Capitals (DC) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) clash at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi was a thriller, which needed a Super Over to decide the winner.

Mitchell Starc proved to be the star with his pinpoint yorkers, winning the Player of the Match (POTM) award, as DC beat RR.

But on the fourth ball of the super over, the third umpire called a no-ball with the pacer going over the wide-line with his back-foot.

Fans were quick to point out that Mumbai Indians (MI) spinner Vignesh Puthur had something similar earlier in the season but had gone unpunished.

21.5 Fair delivery – the feet

For a delivery to be fair in respect of the feet, in the delivery stride

21.5.1 the bowler’s back foot must land within and not touching the return crease appertaining to his/her stated mode of delivery.

21.5.2 the bowler’s front foot must land with some part of the foot, whether grounded or raised

– on the same side of the imaginary line joining the two middle stumps as the return crease described in 21.5.1, and

– behind the popping crease.

If the bowler’s end umpire is not satisfied that all of these three conditions have been met, he/she shall call and signal No ball. See Law 41.8 (Bowling of deliberate front foot No ball).

A review of the video showing Puthur’s transgression shows the MI spinner had landed his on his toes before his heel followed and went across the backfoot crease.

So, as per the law, Puthur bowled legal deliveries.