Umpire Explains Why Axar Patel's Delivery Was Not Wide in India vs Japan T20I
· Sports · Indian Express, Times of India
India won the one-off T20I against Japan by two runs in Sano on September 22, 2026, after a controversial wide call in the final over was overturned. Axar Patel bowled a delivery down the leg side that was initially called wide when Alexander Shirai-Patmore attempted a reverse sweep. The on-field umpires, Chris Brown and Chris Thurgate, reversed the call after discussion, ruling it a dot ball. The ICC umpire explained that once a batsman attempts a reverse sweep or switch-hit, both sides become off-side, so the 17-inch wide marker applies and the ball must go past it to be called wide.
Why it matters
The clarification affects how umpires will judge wide deliveries when batters play unconventional strokes like the reverse sweep in future matches. It provides guidance to players and officials on the application of Law 22.1 regarding wide balls in such scenarios.
Read the original report — Indian Express
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