'As Long as it Doesn't Cross a Line': Rahul Dravid Takes Stock of Controversial Run During India vs Afghanistan Double Super Over Game

The third and final T20I between India and Afghanistan at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Wednesday was one for the ages and had moments of interest littered throughout the game which required two super over tiebreakers to determine the result.

One point of conversation surrounding the game was Afghanistan picking up a run after the ball had hit the non-striker and moved off its path. Following the end of the game, Team India head coach Rahul Dravid said it was part of the game and it was all fair enough until it crossed a line.

“It is part of the game. It is fine,” the side’s coach began.

“Sometimes you get frustrated that it happens, but its fair enough, all part of the game,” Dravid said.

“It hit the non-striker and it moved. And I think that’s fine and you can run for those,” the man dubbed as ‘The Wall’ during his playing days opined.

Dravid also pulled up a comparison to an instance in the first T20 when India picked up a run off a similar situation and said that as long as it didn’t cross a line, it was alright.

“In the first T20, I think there was an incident where the ball hit the bat of one of our batsmen and we took a run as well. So I think there is nothing to read into it and I don’t think there is anything in the rules that stops you from actually taking those runs,” the 51-year-old said.

“Arguments can happen at the end of tight games. I think when you play for your country, there is so much passion and emotion and I think it is incredible that even in dead rubber games when it gets down to the wire, the competitiveness and passion come out,” Dravid added.

“As long as it doesn’t cross the line, and that’s why we have match referees to look at these things,” he reiterated.

Dravid also opined that it was rather normal that displays of passion and emotions come to the surface during tight games as the players representing their nations always try to put their best foot forward.

“Sometimes a little bit of that passion and emotion is really important. It shows how much the players care,” the team’s head coach said.