ICC Umpire Explains Rule Behind Controversial Wide Call in India-Japan T20 Match

An ICC umpire has defended a controversial decision to overturn a wide ball during India's narrow two-run win over Japan in a five-over T20 match in Sano. Japan required eight runs from the final over to chase down India's total of 33. On the second ball, bowler Axar Patel conceded a single before Alexander Shirai-Patmore tried a reverse sweep against a delivery down the leg side. The on-field official initially signaled a wide, but Indian captain Shreyas Iyer, bowler Axar Patel, and wicketkeeper Sanju Samson questioned the call. Following a discussion between square-leg umpire Chris Brown and his colleague Chris Thurgate, the wide signal was reversed and counted as a dot ball. According to an unnamed ICC umpire who spoke to reporters, the final ruling was correct based on the laws of the game. The official explained that once a batter attempts or even aborts a reverse sweep or switch-hit, both sides of the pitch are treated as the off side. Consequently, the 17-inch marker becomes the standard for judging a wide delivery. Unless the ball travels past that specific mark, the delivery remains legal, meaning a ball passing down the traditional leg side is not automatically a wide. The umpire added that under MCC Law 2.12, officials are permitted to change a decision as long as they do so promptly, which explains why the quick consultation led to the reversal. Japan ultimately needed four runs off the final ball of the match but managed only a single leg bye, leaving them just short of a tie.