Did MS Dhoni Breach the Fake Fielding Law?

It was in the 11^th over of the Sri Lankan innings during the 2^nd ODI between India and Sri Lanka at the PCA Stadium in Mohali that former Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni almost breached the code of conduct under the news of laws of cricket which prevents players from faking a batsman when the ball is not in his hands.

With Angelo Mathews and Lahiru Thirimanne at the crease, Mathews ran hard to complete the 2^nd run at the striker’s end. MS Dhoni first got ready to collect the ball but upon realising that the ball would hit the stumps he let the ball go throw at the last moment which went and crashed on to his stumps.

With the flashing led of the bails, the crowd got excited which also promoted the square leg umpire to take a help from the TV Umpire. As per the new rules applicable from 1^st October 2017 a batting team might be awarded 5 runs if a fielder pretended to collect or throw a ball when the ball was actually not there in his/her hands.

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The Law 41.5 of the MCC deals with “deliberate distraction, deception or obstruction of batsman”. Clause 41.5.1 states that, ”It is unfair for any fielder wilfully to attempt, by word or action, to distract, deceive or obstruct either batsman after the striker has received the ball. The first occasion of penalising a team for the fake fielding law occurred this September just days after the law came into effect.

The first such instance of penalising the fielding team occurred this September just days after the law came into effect when Marnus Labuschagne of Queensland was found guilty of teasing the Cricket Australia XI batsman Param Uppal. As per MCC’s Laws of Cricket Manager, Fraser Stewart Dhoni was neither found to have pretended to collect the ball nor did he attempt to stop the run.

Dhoni was neither found to have pretended the collection of the ball nor was he seen throwing it to stop a run. Midway through the throw, Dhoni realised that the ball might hit the stumps and smartly moved his hands out of the way. Thus the debate about allowing Sri Lanka 5 extra runs doesn’t arise.

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