Aussie cricket great and former skipper Mark Taylor has called into question the ‘unfair advantage’ enjoyed by Virat Kohli and India in their T20 World Cup epic.
Taylor has urged lawmakers to consider making a change where free hits are concerned, which would have completely changed the result from an Indian win to a Pakistan victory in Melbourne.
The 57-year-old is referring to the moment in the final crazy over when Kohli was bowled off a free hit, but the ball deflected off the stump in such a way that they were able to run three crucial byes.
With two runs required eventually required to win from the final ball it shows just how crucial that moment was for India in scenes reminiscent of the deflected overthrows that benefitted England in the 2019 World Cup final against New Zealand.
Taylor though points out there is a crucial difference here, which is that India were able to benefit twice from an earlier mistake from Pakistan.
A no-ball from Mohammad Nawaz meant that Kohli had a free hit and couldn’t be out from the next ball which is why he played such an extravagant sweep shot as the ball cannoned into the base of off stump.
And Taylor reckons keeping your wicket is bonus enough from a free hit, and if you are dismissed going for a big shot then the ball should be ‘dead’ as soon as that happens.
It is still a big benefit for the batting side who can keep any runs from a boundary or those run, but would prevent the bowler from being punished effectively a third time, because there is also a bonus run to the opposition too.
"I think if the ball hits the stumps you're actually gaining an unfair advantage," said Taylor to Wide World of Sport.
"Firstly, in the situation like we saw on Sunday night, the ball can deflect anywhere, and secondly, if the fielding team is trying to run the batter out, the bails are already on the ground and you've got to remove the stump, so that's harder as well.
"I think if the batter is bowled or caught off the free hit, you're not out but the ball should then be dead, that would be fair and reasonable.
"You've got the advantage of not being out off a free hit, but you shouldn't benefit a second time from what would normally be considered a dismissal."
