 "T20 WC 2024: Why did the umpire award 5 penalty runs to India against USA?")
After an initial scare during the chase against the US, India cruised to its third victory in the 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. While star performers Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma fell prey to some spirited bowling by Indian-origin US bowler Saurabh Netravalkar, wicketkeeper batter Rishabh Pant was outfoxed by a good length delivery by Ali Khan, which kept low and castled the middle stump of the southpaw.
Teetering at 39 for 3 in the eighth over, Suryakumar Yadav and Shivam Dube joined the band to navigate a nervy run-chase for India. The duo completed the task and took the visiting country home in the 19th over with seven wickets in hand. With this win, India qualified for the Super 8.
However, amid some sharp bowling by first-time World Cup participants US and a defiant partnership between Yadav and Dube, an umpire decision in the 16th over hogged all the limelight and left many Indian fans surprised and US fans fuming.
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US skipper Aaron Jones was left shocked at the start of the 16th over when India were awarded five penalty runs. The decision left everyone confused. Hindi commentator Harbhajan Singh also said he has absolutely no idea about why it was done as so many rules have changed over the years, making the game complex.
The game was at a crucial point when the umpire made the decision. India needed 35 runs from the last 30 balls, and with stroke play on the New York pitch becoming almost like a dream of catching unicorns, the game was evenly poised.
However, after an animated chat with Jones, the on-field umpire signalled five penalty runs awarded to India under the 'Stop Clock' rule.
Why was India awarded five penalty runs against the US?
The 'stop clock rule', was designed by the ICC to ensure the match is completed within the time limit.
Clause 41.9 of the updated playing conditions for Men's ODIs and T20Is addresses measures against time wasting by the fielding side, and a clock has been introduced under sub-clause 41.9.4. Implemented experimentally in December 2023, the clock became mandatory for all white-ball matches starting from the T20 World Cup.
What are the stop clock rules in ICC T20I events?
According to ICC rules in T20Is, the fielding side must be prepared to begin each over no later than sixty seconds after the last over has ended. To measure 60 seconds, an electronic clock, which is displayed on the ground, is used.
When the fielding team exceeds the 60-second deadline, two warnings are issued, and after that five-run penalty runs are imposed for every violation.
The rule further states that if the fielding side is not ready, then:
- During the first instance, the fielding captain gets a warning from the umpire.
- On the second occasion, a final warning is given to the fielding captain
- On the third occasion, five penalty runs are awarded to the batting team
India scorecard vs USA
| India Inning | ||||||
| 111-3 (18.2 ov) CRR:6.05 | ||||||
| Batter | R | B | 4s | 6s | SR | |
| Rohit Sharma (C) | c H Singh b S Netravalkar | 3 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 50 |
| Virat Kohli | c AGS Gous b S Netravalkar | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rishabh Pant (WK) | b Ali Khan | 18 | 20 | 1 | 1 | 90 |
| Suryakumar Yadav | Not out | 50 | 49 | 2 | 2 | 102.04 |
| Shivam Dube | Not out | 31 | 35 | 1 | 1 | 88.57 |
| Extras | 9 (b 0, Ib 1, w 2, nb 1, p 5) | |||||
| Total | 111 (3 wkts, 18.2 Ov) | |||||
| Bowler | O | M | R | W | WD | ECO |
| Saurabh Netravalkar | 4 | 0 | 18 | 2 | 0 | 4.5 |
| Ali Khan | 3.2 | 0 | 21 | 1 | 1 | 6.3 |
| Jasdeep Singh | 4 | 0 | 24 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| Shadley van Schalkwyk | 4 | 0 | 25 | 0 | 0 | 6.25 |
| Corey Anderson | 3 | 0 | 17 | 0 | 1 | 5.67 |
USA scorecard vs India
| United States of America Inning | ||||||
| 110-8 (20 ov) CRR:5.50 | ||||||
| Batter | R | B | 4s | 6s | SR | |
| Shayan Jahangir | lbw b A Singh | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steven Taylor | b A Patel | 24 | 30 | 0 | 2 | 80 |
| Andries Gous (WK) | c H Pandya b A Singh | 2 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 40 |
| Aaron Jones (C) | c M Siraj b H Pandya | 11 | 22 | 0 | 1 | 50 |
| Nitish Kumar | c M Siraj b A Singh | 27 | 23 | 2 | 1 | 117.39 |
| Corey Anderson | c R Pant b H Pandya | 15 | 12 | 1 | 1 | 125 |
| Harmeet Singh | c R Pant b A Singh | 10 | 10 | 0 | 1 | 100 |
| Shadley van Schalkwyk | Not out | 11 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 110 |
| Jasdeep Singh | runout (M Siraj / R Pant) | 2 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 28.57 |
| Extras | 8 (b 0, Ib 1, w 7, nb 0, p 0) | |||||
| Total | 110 (8 wkts, 20 Ov) | |||||
| Bowler | O | M | R | W | WD | ECO |
| Arshdeep Singh | 4 | 0 | 9 | 4 | 1 | 2.25 |
| Mohammed Siraj | 4 | 0 | 25 | 0 | 0 | 6.25 |
| Jasprit Bumrah | 4 | 0 | 25 | 0 | 1 | 6.25 |
| Hardik Pandya | 4 | 1 | 14 | 2 | 0 | 3.5 |
| Shivam Dube | 1 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 11 |
| Axar Patel | 3 | 0 | 25 | 1 | 1 | 8.33 |