EXCLUSIVE | Anjum Chopra on Virat Kohli’s No-Ball Controversy, Says ‘Judgement Should be Based on Standing Position’

New Delhi: Technology has reached new heights in the ongoing edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). From smart replay systems to measuring batsman’s height with hawk eye for waist height full tosses, the Board of Control of Cricket in India (BCCI) has brought about innovations to make the game better. In one such instance a controversy arose when Virat Kohli was dismissed by Harshit Rana off a slower full toss in IPL 2024. Former India cricketer Anjum Chopra in a candid chat with India.com spoke about it and the use of technology in the game and what it is leading to.

Anjum clarified on the rules stating that the batsman must stay behind the line. She said, “The judgement is based on the standing position of the batter and technology clearly says that you have to be behind the line. Virat was ahead of the crease when the ball was struck and it was slightly high.”

She also spoke about the reliance on technology and its use to reduce the time taken to make decisions, which is sometimes working or sometimes not. “There is a good side and not so good side towards it. But then, every season, BCCI is trying to get better for the viewer and for the players as well,” added Anjum.

When asked about the team scenario of Mumbai Indians and their performance she clearly stated that the dressing room scenario is not known to anyone and all have been speculating with different perceptions. On the playing part she added, “MI haven’t been able to come together and play and close out games in their favor, which has obviously affected them. The matches that they played were not consistent and were completely outplayed by the opposition.”

(Interview by Ankit Banerjee)