Maxwell fumes after contentious IPL call

A contentious no-ball decision in the Indian Premier League has drawn the ire of Kings XI Punjab captain Glenn Maxwell during their clash with the Gujarat Lions.

Gujarat had got off to a strong start in pursuit of Punjab's 189 when Umpire A. Nand Kishore no-balled Kings XI paceman Sandeep Sharma after the right-armer switched from over to around the wicket, with the official ruling that the bowler had not properly signaled his intention to change angles before delivering the ball.

But replays showed Nand Kishore had been facing Sharma when the bowler, after consulting with Maxwell, signalled to the umpire as he moved across to the top of his mark for a delivery around the wicket. 

The right-armer ran in with non-striker Dwayne Smith remaining on the umpire's right-hand side, though the West Indian stood wide enough to allow Sharma ample room to bowl.

Gujarat batsman Ishan Kishan did not appear put off by Sharma's switch, clipping the delivery sweetly off his legs to the mid-wicket fielder for no run.

But the umpire was seemingly caught by surprise and signalled a no-ball, prompting an incredulous response from Sharma and Maxwell. 

Bowler and captain furiously gestured and debated with the official and a lengthy delay ensued.

The subsequent free hit conceded only a single as Gujarat chased down the total for a six-wicket win with two balls to spare.

"It was probably a crucial point of the game," Maxwell told IPLT20.com after play.

"It was coming towards the end of the Power Play and unfortunately the umpire forgot to tell the batsman to move to the other side."

The Marylebone Cricket Club's Laws of Cricket clearly state a bowler must inform the umpire whether they intend to bowl over or around the wicket before the delivery.

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Law 24.1 reads: "The umpire shall ascertain whether the bowler intends to bowl right-handed or left-handed, over or around the wicket, and shall so inform the striker.

"It is unfair if the bowler fails to notify the umpire of a change in his mode of delivery. In this case the umpire shall call and signal no ball."

The official regulations also dictate the non-striker must "be positioned on the opposite side of the wicket to that from which the ball is being delivered, unless a request to do otherwise is granted by the umpire," per Law 29.3.

Sharma angrily snatched his hat from the umpire at the end of the over and Maxwell continued his remonstrations with the officials between overs. 

It remains to be seen whether match referee Javagal Srinath will take any action regarding the incident.