MS Dhoni In Trouble Due To ICC's New Rule?

The same move that has made Dhoni one of the most coolest wicketkeepers around is now all set to prove costly for him and his team as his attempt to trick opponents by pretending to collect a throw and hitting the stumps will lead to 5 penalty runs as per ICC’s new rule.

The Marylebone Cricket Club’s new Law 41.5 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 law has also given the umpires the right to award five penalty runs if they determine that such deception is wilful.

The new law has already made its first victim with Queensland fielder Marnus Labuschagne paying the penalty for ‘fake fielding’ when he tried to fool the batsman by faking a throw during a JLT One-Day Cup (domestic limited overs tournament of Australia) match. Labuschagne raised his hand in apology soon but it did not stop the on-field umpires from penalising Queensland as they awarded the batting side 5 runs.

Here is a clip of that incident:

https://twitter.com/PRINCE3758458/status/913795038894686208?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fcricketaddictor.com%2Fwp-admin%2Fpost.php%3Fpost%3D5364%26action%3Dedit

The new rule has already created a lot of debate with many against it and former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has also expressed his reservations against it.

The cricketer-turned-commentator took to Twitter to express his views, insisting that the International Cricket Council (ICC) should reconsider the ‘most ridiculous’ law.

Five penalty runs for ‘fake fielding’ is the most ridiculous law that’s been brought in, in recent times. Urge ICC to reconsider it.

— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) October 4, 2017

Manjrekar backed his claim by introducing the same law when a batsman fakes a step out.

How about penalising batting side 5 runs when b’man fakes a step out & does not? Does he not put the bowler off? Fake fielding law must go.

— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) October 4, 2017

Manjrekar’s statement was soon countered by a journalist who felt that the new law will stop players from trying to cheat. However, Manjrekar responded by saying that the fake-fielding act is tricking and not cheating and cited MS Dhoni’s example to back his claims.

Bear in mind it's a Law, brought in by the MCC, & then included in playing conditions by the ICC. I like it. A player's trying to cheat.

— Brian Murgatroyd (@murgersb) October 4, 2017

In reply, Manjrekar said:

Cheating??? No it’s called tricking. Like Dhoni pretending to collect a throw & lets it go to hit the stumps. Applaud it, not penalise. https://t.co/wJNaRDqR6P

— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) October 4, 2017