Rohit Sharma's Super Over Controversy Sparks Debate on ICC Playing Regulations

The second Super Over in Bangalore on Wednesday saw Rohit Sharma come out to bat against Afghanistan, which focused attention on the playing conditions at the ICC. The skipper of India seems to have "retired out" during the first Super Over.

"Any batsman dismissed in any previous Super Over shall be ineligible to bat in any subsequent Super Over," the ICC's men's T20I playing regulations expressly stipulate.

Extremely Over.

The term "dismissed" is the source of the misunderstanding. India chose to replace Rohit with Rinku Singh in the first Super Over due to the two runs needed off the last delivery and Yashasvi Jaiswal being on strike. Allowing a speedier runner between the wickets for the last delivery was a calculated tactical move.

The following is stated in clause 25.4.2 of the ICC playing conditions: "A batsman is entitled to resume his innings if he retires due to illness, injury, or any other unavoidable cause." The batter will be listed as "Retired - not out" if, for whatever reason, this does not occur.

"The innings of a batsman who retires for any reason other than that specified in clause 25.4.2 may only be resumed with the opposing captain's approval."

It is still unclear from the match officials' comments if Rohit was retired injured or retired out, including match referee Javagal Srinath and umpires Jayaraman Madanagopal and Virender Sharma.

The suggestion by India's head coach Rahul Dravid that Rohit had retired himself out, a la Ravichandran Ashwin in an IPL 2022 match, provided a twist.

"It was Ashwin-level thinking to take himself out," Dravid said.

Jonathan Trott, the Afghanistan coach, seemed to have no idea. Trott said, "I have no idea," to the question of whether the authorities had contacted them at the press conference.

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