"Don't want to be part of game where...": Matthew Hayden's blunt take on non-striker run-out debate

When the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) faced off, there was an overwhelming amount of drama at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow. Digvesh Rathi, who has already gained a reputation as a "must-watch" player because of his antics, was, predictably, at the centre of the dispute.

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When Jitesh Sharma wandered out of the crease, Rathi tried a run-out at the non-striker's end, but the third umpire ruled that the bowler did not break out of his delivery stride in time, hence, it was ruled not out. Pant had withdrawn the appeal anyhow. 

Although the non-striker run out is entirely legal under MCC rules, many people believe it is an unfair method of dismissing a batter, which is why Rathi's judgment once again sparked the "spirit of cricket debate."

One such person to comment on this has been the Former Australian Cricketer, Matthew Hayden. Regarding the heated event, Hayden defended Pant's choice to drop the appeal, saying it was the proper thing to do in the spirit of the game. Hayden stated that he would not want to be a part of a match where the result is decided by such a moment, even though he maintained that the dismissal was within the rules.

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“I think on that particular occasion, Rishabh Pant did the right thing. You don't want to be a part of a game where it's just adjudicated on by a dismissal such as that." Hayden mentioned.

"He basically just sort of fell out of his crease in the expectation that the ball was going to be delivered. And look, I don't have a problem with that dismissal as such because I don't think he was trying for a run. It wasn't like he was taking a good run up and charging off two and three metres," he added.

Hayden’s statement reflects more of a batter’s stance in this situation, as batters regularly keep on doing this, even after warnings.

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