The T20 World Cup 2026 match between India and Namibia turned into high drama after a big on-field controversy at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on February 12. Namibia captain Gerhard Erasmus was seen in a heated argument with umpire Rod Tucker during India’s innings.
Gerhard Erasmus’ heated exchange before Tilak Varma wicket sparks T20 World Cup 2026 controversy
The incident happened in the eighth over of the Indian innings. Gerhard Erasmus tried to bowl the ball much earlier in his run-up and from far behind the crease. The on-field umpire, Rod Tucker, immediately called it a dead ball. The decision shocked the Namibia captain.
Erasmus showed clear frustration on the field, having a heated argument with the umpire as he had to bowl the delivery again. Later in the same over, Erasmus bowled again from behind the crease. This time, the ball was allowed. He dismissed Tilak Varma, and the wicket stood.
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This created confusion among fans because the first ball was called dead, but the second one was accepted. Social media quickly exploded with debate. Many people questioned why two similar deliveries got different decisions.
Dead ball drama explained
Now, former ICC umpire Anil Chaudhary explained the drama. Chaudhary said that a bowler is allowed to bowl from behind the crease mentioned in the ICC rules. He also explained that with the new auto no-ball system, the angle from behind is checked.
Anil Chaudhary said in a video posted on his Instagram, “First, let me tell you the rule. A bowler can bowl from behind; there’s no problem with that. And now, there’s a new protocol. In Auto-No-Ball, if you do a side-cutting from behind, then it can be seen. But this happened for the first time.”
The former umpire also felt the first time Tucker may not have been ready, and so he called it a dead ball, but after discussion, everyone was prepared, so the next ball was given as fair. The commentator further explained. “When Gerhard Erasmus bowled from behind, Rod Tucker was probably surprised, and he himself wasn’t ready.
He called a dead ball, and he can do that. In the second case, because it had been discussed, and the bowler had said that he can bowl from behind, all the people were mentally prepared for that. He bowled from behind too. And the batsman played both the balls properly. The batsman didn’t have any problem with both the balls. So, the next ball was a fair ball.”
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Erasmus’ action legal, Tilak Varma’s wicket valid: Chaudhary
Chaudhary also stressed that there was nothing illegal in Gerhard Erasmus’ bowling action and Tilak Varma’s wicket was correct. He also noted that if the umpire feels that he himself is not ready, then he can call a dead ball, but since Auto-No-Ball came, the angle of the side-cutting from behind is covered.
He signed off by saying, “So, I think it’s okay if you don’t bowl a dead ball. But still, we should respect the umpire’s opinion. In both cases, according to me, the ball was fair, and the bowler can bowl from behind. There was nothing illegal in Gerhard Erasmus’ action. And Tilak Verma’s wicket was valid and correct.”