Ricky Ponting, Sourav Ganguly Left Fuming After Confusion Over IPL Rule. Explained

The IPL 2024 match between Rajasthan Royals and Delhi Capitals on Thursday saw a break in match proceedings due to a confusion over tournament rules regarding the use of a foreign player as a substitute fielder. DC head coach Ricky Ponting and director of cricket Sourav Ganguly were seen having a chat with the fourth umpire when RR decided to field Rovman Powell as a substitute fielder. RR started the match with three overseas players - Jos Buttler, Shimron Hetmyer, and Trent Boult - and decided to bring Nandre Burger as their impact player in place of Hetmyer.

However, controversy erupted when they brought Rovman Powell on as a substitute fielder and the DC camp pointed out that it means that RR ended up using five overseas players in the match.

A look at what the IPL rules say -

RULE 1.2.5Each team may not name more than 4 Overseas players (as defined in the IPL Player Regulations) in its starting eleven for any match. RULE

RULE 1.2.6A team may not have more than 4 Overseas players on the field of play at any time during any Match. Thus, if the team names the maximum 4 Overseas players in its starting XI, an Overseas player may only take the field as a substitute fielder if the player that he is replacing is an Overseas player. If the team names less than 4 Overseas players in its starting XI, Overseas players may only enter the field of play as substitute fielders to the extent that by doing so, they do not take the total number of Overseas players representing that team on the field to more than 4.

Riyan Parag smashed a 45-ball 84 not out as Rajasthan Royals defeated Delhi Capitals by 12 runs.

Sent in to bat, Parag hit seven fours and six sixes on way to his highest IPL score as RR recovered from 36 for 3 in the eighth over to post a challenging 185 for 5.

In reply, opener David Warner made a 34-ball 49 but DC crumbled under pressure with the bowlers producing a clinical display.

Tristan Stubbs (44 not out) tried his bit but it was too little too late.

Nandre Burger (2/29) and Yuzvendra Chahal (2/19) picked up two wickets each. Avesh Khan (1/29) also did well.

Earlier, Parag added 54 with Ravichandran Ashwin, who smashed three sixes on way to a 19-ball 29. Parag also shared 52 runs with Dhruv Jurel (20) and another 43 with Shimron Hetmyer (14 not out).

(With PTI inputs)