IPL 2026: Why Angkrish Raghuvanshi was given out for obstructing the field? Check details

In IPL 2026, Kolkata Knight Riders' talented 21-year-old batter, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, became the fourth batsman in IPL history to be dismissed for 'Obstructing the Field.' This rare incident occurred during Match No. 38 of IPL 2026, where KKR faced LSG at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow.

At the time of the incident, KKR had already come under pressure after losing the wickets of both their opening batters (Tim Seifert and Ajinkya Rahane) within just four overs. Under these circumstances, Raghuvanshi and Cameron Green were attempting to rescue the team from this crisis by building a solid partnership. However, during the last delivery of the fifth over of the innings, Raghuvanshi played a shot towards mid-on off Prince Yadav and attempted to take a quick single; however, Mohammed Shami fielded the ball and threw it back. His partner, standing at the non-striker's end, Cameron Green, took a couple of steps forward but then sent him back. In his hurried attempt to return to his crease, the right-handed batter stepped into the middle of the pitch and then suddenly changed direction—placing himself directly in the line of the ball, which subsequently struck his leg following Mohammed Shami's throw. 

Shortly thereafter, the on-field umpires referred the decision to the third umpire, Rohan Pandit, who ruled Raghuvanshi 'Out.' Following the dismissal, members of the KKR management—including legends like Shane Watson, Abhishek Nayar, and Dwayne Bravo—appeared visibly displeased with the decision. Meanwhile, Angkrish Raghuvanshi himself appeared quite furious; he struck his bat against the boundary rope and even threw his helmet in frustration, for which a fine of 20% of his match fee has also been imposed on him. He was also handed one demerit point for breaching Level 1 of the league’s Code of Conduct. He was found guilty under Article 2.2 of the code, which relates to abuse of cricket equipment, clothing, ground equipment or fixtures during a match.

However, despite the controversy, Third Umpire Rohan Pandit's decision is absolutely correct. According to the Laws of Cricket, no batsman is permitted—under any circumstances—to run down the middle of the pitch or change their running line or direction while taking a run.  Clause 37.1.4 in IPL’s playing conditions does state the following regarding obstructing the field.  

"For the avoidance of doubt, if an umpire feels that a batter, in running between the wickets, has significantly changed his direction without probable cause and thereby obstructed a fielder's attempt to effect a run out, the batter should, on appeal, be given out, obstructing the field. It shall not be relevant whether a run out would have occurred or not,” reads the said clause.  

During the decision-making process, umpire Rohan Pandit meticulously examined whether Raghuvanshi was compelled to alter his direction for any reason; however, finding no compelling justification, he ruled Raghuvanshi 'Out'. With this, Raghuvanshi joined the unenviable list of batsmen in the IPL to be dismissed for 'Obstructing the Field'. Before him, Yusuf Pathan (2013), Amit Mishra (2019), and Ravindra Jadeja (2024) had also fallen victim to this mode of dismissal.