Lucknow Super Giants’ clash with Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League 2026 season turned into a heated affair after a contentious decision sparked outrage in the KKR camp. At a time when the team has been under pressure, young batter Angkrish Raghuvanshi emerged as a rare positive. But just as he looked set to steady the innings, a bizarre dismissal cut his stay short, shifting momentum instantly and igniting a major controversy.
Controversial obstructing the field call shocks KKR
The incident took place on the final ball of the fifth over at the Ekana International Cricket Stadium. Raghuvanshi, batting on 9 off 7 balls, tapped the ball towards mid-on and attempted a quick single before turning back midway. While returning, he altered his running line, and the throw from the field struck his leg.
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Sensing an opportunity, LSG, led by Rishabh Pant, appealed for obstructing the field. The decision was referred to third umpire Rohan Pandit, who, after reviewing multiple angles, ruled that the batter had deliberately changed his line. The verdict left KKR stunned and triggered immediate backlash.
Anger spills over as a rare dismissal adds to the drama
The reaction from the KKR dugout was swift and emotional. Assistant coach Shane Watson looked visibly surprised, while head coach Abhishek Nayar engaged in an extended discussion with the fourth umpire. Raghuvanshi himself showed his frustration, slamming his bat and hitting the boundary rope while walking off. The dismissal came at a crucial juncture. With Tim Seifert and captain Ajinkya Rahane already back in the pavilion, KKR found themselves under immense pressure during the powerplay.
Such dismissals remain a rarity in IPL history. Raghuvanshi became only the fourth player to be given out in this manner, joining Yusuf Pathan, Amit Mishra and Ravindra Jadeja on the unusual list. The incident has since triggered intense debate over the interpretation of intent in “obstructing the field” decisions. For KKR, however, the immediate impact was clear: a promising innings ended abruptly, and the match slipped further away amid controversy.
