Two Indian Premier League fixtures produced intrigue this weekend after the bails remained atop the stumps despite contact with the ball.
The first instance came during Kings XI Punjab's game against Chennai Super Kings when Lokesh Rahul appeared to have been run out by some fine fielding from wicketkeeper MS Dhoni.
But while the ball hit the stumps before the batsman could make it back into his crease, the wicket remained unbroken as the bail was not completely removed from the top of the stumps.
HOW?! 😂 Magical fielding by MS Dhoni, he hits the stumps, they light up... And the bails don't fall! 😮 KL Rahul might just be the luckiest man in #VivoIPL! pic.twitter.com/roxqHBBk4a — Watch the VIVO IPL on BT Sport (@btsportcricket) April 6, 2019
"The bails didn't fall off but what work from Dhoni!" said one commentator. "Perhaps it hits the stump microphone on the side?"
Rahul went on to reach 55 having been on 41 at the time of the 'run out' – but CSK prevailed by 22 runs despite their misfortune.
The second such occurrence came a day later during the Rajasthan Royals' game against the Kolkata Knight Riders, when Chris Lynn – on 13 – appeared to have been bowled by Dhawal Kulkarni.
More controversy in #VIVOIPL19! Kulkarni clips leg wicket but the bails stay intact! Chris Lynn survives. The look on Steve Smith's face says it all. pic.twitter.com/vU1KGUlVgC — Watch the VIVO IPL on BT Sport (@btsportcricket) April 7, 2019
"Oh yes, leg stump was it?" said one commentator. "The bails stayed on! You're kidding me! That has crashed into leg stump, Chris Lynn is walking off!"
Lynn glanced the ball onto the top of leg stump but failed to dislodge the bail. He hit a four off the very next delivery and eventually was dismissed for 50 off 32 deliveries.
Chris Lynn finds the car park. 💪#VIVOIPL pic.twitter.com/N7ojyzYYPt — Watch the VIVO IPL on BT Sport (@btsportcricket) April 7, 2019
That contribution helped KKR win the game, chasing down the Royals' 139 with 6.1 overs remaining.
ga('create', 'UA-72310761-1', 'auto', {'name': 'pacontentapi'});
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'referrer', location.origin);
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension1', 'By Max McLean, Press Association');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension2', 'f95c9c3b-6736-4fb8-88d5-5c5b722aa6a9');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension3', 'paservice:sport,paservice:sport:world,paservice:viral,paservice:viral:sport');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension6', 'story-enriched');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension7', 'composite');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension8', null);
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension9', 'sport:cricket');
ga('pacontentapi.send', 'pageview', { 'location': location.href, 'page': (location.pathname + location.search + location.hash), 'title': 'Eyebrows raised in IPL as ball fails to remove bails for second day running'});
