First ever red card in CPL history given to TKR ‘absolutely ridiculous,’ says Pollard
Sunil Narine was the fielder who had to leave the field as a result of the penalty imposed in the final over of the innings
TKR became the first team to be given a red card in CPL history as they were behind the allotted time to complete the quota of 20 overs. As a result, the team was given a red card which also meant that Sunil Narine had to leave the field in the 20th over as per the rule which says that the team has to choose a fielder to send off the field in the last over of the inning if it is not able to complete the overs under allotted time. TKR had to field with the penalty in the last three overs of the innings which thankfully did not cost the team much as the men in Maroon won the match comfortably by six wickets thanks to a half-century from the bat of Nicholas Pooran and an attacking innings by captain Kieron Pollard.
Unhappy Pollard
TKR captain Kieron Pollard however was not pleased with the penalty. “To be honest, it will take away the hard work everyone has done,” Pollard said after the game. “We are like the pawns and we are going to do what we are told. We are going to play as fast as we can. If you are penalized for 30-45 seconds in a tournament like this, it is absolutely ridiculous.” “Over rates will be monitored by the third umpire and communicated to the captains via on-field umpires at the end of every over, as well as to the crowd and TV audience, with graphics showing how far they are behind (or ahead of) the over rate,” a CPL statement had said. “Dispensations will be given for injuries, DRS, and time-wasting by the batting side where appropriate.”
Bishop Reacts
Reacting to the moment when a red card was being given to TKR Ian Bishop who was on air said “This could be a historic moment here… oh, red card,” You don’t want to see that colour card. They must field with only ten, so somebody has to leave the field. And only two outside the 30-yard circle. The absolute last thing that he [Pollard] would want. And imagine the bowler!”
