Why was Abdul Samad back on strike for the last ball after being caught at long-off and both batsmen had crossed over on the no ball?

This is what he said at the post-match chat with the broadcaster: “We realised it was a no-ball after we had crossed so I asked Marco [Jansen] to come back.” A shot from a fan at the long-on shows them running back just before the umpire signals the free-hit.

Jaipur witnessed an epic finish to the chase after Abdul Samad smacked a maximum on the final ball 🧡

Hear from the man of the moment who decodes that dramatic final over with Umran Malik 👌🏻

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But does that mean, had Samad not crossed back in time, he wouldn’t have been on strike for the final ball, that he walloped for a match-winning six?

No. He still would have been on strike.

Sunrisers Hyderabad batters Abdul Samad and Marco Jansen celebrate after winning their IPL 2023 cricket match against Rajasthan Royals, at Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur, Sunday, May 7, 2023. Hyderabad won by 4 wickets (PTI Photo)

An IPL umpire explained to this newspaper how it worked out. “It has nothing to do with Samad crossing back quickly. It was a no-ball and the ball was dead once the fielder caught it. According to the new rules, even if both batsmen have crossed by the time a catch has been taken off a legal delivery, the new in-coming batsman will face strike. Not the original non-striker, right?

“Similarly, off a no ball, it doesn’t matter if the batsmen have crossed before the completion of the catch. It doesn’t count. The runs don’t count. Just one run for the no-ball and the original striker will face the next ball. Hence the equation in the game became 4 from the final ball with Samad back on strike.”

No ball drama
Whole stadium thought the match was won
WHAT A THRILLER #RRvSRH #RRvsSRH #SandeepSharma #AbdulSamad #TATAIPL pic.twitter.com/0ptHiOwAtp

— Vaibhav Sharma (@vaibhav_4x) May 7, 2023

There was confusion on air in the comm box with Graeme Swann wondering, “Did they cross before the catch was taken and complete the single? Did they actually run the run?” Robin Uthappa would say: “ I don’t think they crossed. I don’t think they ran the run.” Swann would say “It’s three from one.” Of course, both were mistaken about how the laws of the game work.

As it turned out, Sandeep’s final ball was right in the slot and Samad repeated his move off the no-ball (he shuffled outside off), and slammed it over the straight boundary.