Former cricketer Aakash Chopra recently drew parallels between the dismissals of England’s Joe Root and Sri Lanka’s Chamari Athapaththu, highlighting commonalities in their circumstances. Chopra made these observations during a discussion about Athapaththu’s contentious dismissal in a WPL 2024 match between Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and UP Warriorz.
Chopra noted similarities between Root’s dismissal in Ranchi and Athapaththu’s dismissal in the WPL match, both involving leg-spin deliveries and half-volleys. Reflecting on Athapaththu’s dismissal, which sparked controversy during RC”B’s 23-run victory, Chopra expressed a desire to hear Hawkeye’s analysis of the call. He questioned whether errors occur more frequently when the ball pitches close to the foot and impacts the pads.
“This is a leg-spin delivery. The ball pitches really close to the foot. Hawkeye’s projection takes it as a straight ball/googly—shows hitting the middle stump. Would love to hear Hawkeye’s explanation for this. Do more errors happen when the ball is pitching really close to the impact on the pads? Remember Joe Root’s LBW was a half-volley too,” said Chopra, highlighting the uncanny resemblance between the two dismissals.
The controversial nature of Athapaththu’s dismissal prompted strong reactions from the UP Warriorz camp. Skipper Alyssa Healy was visibly frustrated, engaging in a heated discussion with the on-field umpire. Coach Jon Lewis described the decision as a pivotal moment in the game, expressing frustration over the impact on his team’s performance.
“You watch the ball with the naked eye, and you think it might pitch in line, just maybe,” said Lewis. “Then you look at the ball rotating, and well, it’s rotating like a legspinner. There are not many legspinners that go towards that [other] side. It was a fascinating dismissal and a massive turning point for us in that game,” he added.
The loss proved costly for UP Warriorz, who currently sit fourth in the points table. Chopra’s analysis underscores the need for continued scrutiny and refinement of the Decision Review System (DRS) to ensure fair outcomes in cricket matches. As the sport evolves, stakeholders must collaborate to improve systems and uphold the integrity of the game.
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