IPL 2019: Ashwin takes blame for no-ball incident

The unexpected no-ball gave KKR's Andre Russell a life who then dismantled the Punjab bowling attack, helping the hosts to put a 218-run total

After the much-hyped ‘mankading’ incident, Kings XI Punjab went through a major on-field goof-up on Wednesday that literally cost them the match. An unexpected no-ball gave Kolkata Knight Riders’ (KKR) Andre Russell a life who then dismantled the Punjab bowling attack, helping the hosts to put a 218-run total.

The incident happened off the last delivery of the 17th over when Russell was yorked by Mohammed Shami. However, to the horror of KXIP, the umpire signalled a no-ball as the visiting team was found to have one fielder short of the mandatory four inside the 30-yard circle.

Here’s the video:

First the joy, then the disappointment - Bring back Russell https://t.co/7wVaJdjNNp via @ipl

— Aakash Biswas (@aami_aakash) March 28, 2019

After the match, Punjab skipper Ravichandran Ashwin took the blame for the no-ball incident against which led them to an unfortunate defeat. He said as captain of the team he would take the blame.

“We weren't really focussed on the small things and they do cost you big in this format. Yes, we definitely have to look at it next game. I'll take the blame” Ashwin said.

“I should have had a look at it. At that stage, with the slog on, you hope the fielders are switched on but obviously he (Varun Chakravarthy or Hardus Viljoen) was a debutant,” he added.

It was not immediately clear as to who Ashwin was referring to as both Varun Chakravarthy and Hardus Viljoen were making their IPL debuts on Wednesday.

Russell, on the other hand, thanked the KXIP player who was outside the 30-yard-circle for ensuring the no-ball. 

“Thanks to that guy who was outside the ring. It's the new guy, forgot his name. Thank you. When I get bowled, I thought I had missed out but I saw the guys in dugout signalling no-ball and I was like, please God, let it be a no-ball,” said Russell.