On many occasions, obstructing the field during a cricket match leads to frustration for the fielding team. It’s a common cause of anger, infuriating the players nine times out of ten. Additionally, according to the guidelines set by the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), batsmen can lose their wicket if the on-field umpires deem it appropriate. However, there are instances where unexpected events bring laughter and a sense of relief to the players involved. One such incident involved Cameron Green and Krunal Pandya, providing a light-hearted moment amidst the competitive intensity of the game.
In this particular match, Krunal Pandya found himself in the role of captain for the Lucknow Super Giants due to KL Rahul’s injury. It was an important responsibility, and Krunal was determined to make a significant impact on the game. However, his day with the bat had not been particularly eventful until Tuesday. The pitch presented a challenging batting surface, and Krunal, coming in at number four, had to face a tough task. The team was in trouble at 12/2 when he took to the crease.
Undeterred by the difficult conditions, Krunal showed great resilience and composure. He started rebuilding the innings alongside Marcus Stoinis, who played the role of the aggressor in their partnership. Together, they formed a crucial 82-run stand for the fourth wicket, steadying the ship and providing hope for their team. Krunal’s contribution was vital, and his ability to anchor the innings was on full display. However, his innings was not without its challenges.
During his time at the crease, Krunal experienced some discomfort and was seen hobbling on the field. It raised concerns among his teammates and the coaching staff, prompting a check-up by the team physio during the strategic time-out. Despite the discomfort, Krunal decided to battle through and continue his innings. However, the pain eventually became too much to bear, and he made the difficult decision to retire hurt, leaving the field after scoring a valuable 49 runs off 32 balls.
Krunal’s departure from the field could have ended in a run-out, which would have been a disappointing outcome after his hard-fought innings. However, fate had something different in store. Enter Cameron Green, the unexpected hero in this situation. It was the sixth ball of the 16th over when Green, the bowler, delivered a good-length delivery outside the off stump.
As Stoinis attempted to play the ball between the short third man and backward point, it inadvertently went straight to Suryakumar Yadav, who was charging in from backward point to field it. Sensing an opportunity for a quick single, Krunal, who was halfway down the pitch, called for the run. However, Stoinis declined the single, leaving Krunal scrambling to make his way back to the non-striker’s end.
Meanwhile, Cameron Green was unaware of the unfolding drama. Focused on preventing the opposition from taking any extra runs, he continued to instruct Suryakumar not to throw the ball. Unfortunately for Green, his positioning near the stumps obstructed Suryakumar’s throw not once, but twice. On the third attempt, the ball finally left Suryakumar’s hand, missing the stumps as Krunal safely made it back to his crease. The entire sequence of events was somewhat comical, with Green persistently instructing Suryakumar while unintentionally getting in the way.
The laughter that followed was a welcome respite from the intense competition. Even Jason Behrendroff, who was part of the fielding team, couldn’t help but join in the light-hearted moment, sharing a
Hahahaha!
Krunal Pandya as soon as the second innings started pic.twitter.com/NJPzZibaRn
— Ashwin Kumar (@ashwin_kumarV) May 16, 2023
