The M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru showcased its typical character during the first innings of the eleventh WPL 2024 match as the RCB batting lineup dominated the opposition bowlers, amassing a total of 198 runs.
The Warriorz, mirroring the home team’s performance, made a strong start in the second innings despite losing Kiran Navgire early in the powerplay. However, the events following the lifting of field restrictions took a bizarre turn, culminating in an unusual dismissal of Athapaththu.
Wrist spinner Georgia Wareham delivered a flighted ball aimed at the middle and leg stump line, tempting the Sri Lankan captain to attempt a sweeping shot with her front foot.
Despite being a leg-break, Athapaththu failed to connect properly, resulting in the ball beating the inside edge and striking her front pad with a thud. Despite RCB’s appeal, umpire Vrinda Rathi remained unmoved, prompting Richa Ghosh to suggest to Smriti Mandhana to call for a review.
Upon review, the ball tracking on the TV screen revealed a deviation from its expected trajectory after pitching. Although initially pitched as a leg-break aimed at the middle and leg, the technology indicated a straighter path, ultimately hitting the middle stump.
— Shanaka Kundu (@KunduShanaka) March 4, 2024
With three reds on the screen, the on-field decision had to be overturned, leaving Healy, Athapaththu, and others in the Warriorz dugout in disbelief. The skipper, stationed at the non-striker’s end, expressed her frustration and disbelief at the malfunctioning technology, sparking a frenzy on Twitter.
