In the recent IPL 2025 clash between Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals at the Wankhede Stadium, a rare fielding error from the five-time champions resulted in an unusual no-ball call. The incident took place during the fifth over when Will Jacks, who was decent with the ball, delivered a legitimate ball that was deemed as a no-ball by the umpire, not for overstepping or bowling a high full toss, but due to a breach in field placement regulations.
The incident occurred when Jack was bowling to Vipraj Nigam. Just a ball before, he had successfully stumped Abishek Porel. However, a failure in fielding discipline led the umpire to immediately signal a no-ball. Upon closer inspection, it was revealed that MI had only three fielders on the offside, thereby violating a rule of the game. According to Law 28.4.1 of the MCC Laws of Cricket, which is also used in the IPL’s playing conditions, a team is not allowed to have more than five fielders on the leg-side at the moment of delivery.
Rule 28.4.1 – “At the instant of delivery, there may not be more than 5 fielders on the one side.”
Rule 28.4.2 – “At the instant of the bowler’s delivery, there shall not be more than two fielders, other than the wicket-keeper, behind the popping crease on the on side. A fielder will be considered to be behind the popping crease unless the whole of his person, whether grounded or in the air, is in front of this line.”
In the moment, Mumbai Indians had placed only three fielders on the off-side, which meant six were on the leg-side, breaching the maximum on-side fielder restriction with the umpires rightly calling it a no-ball.
Notably, Vipraj Nigam capitalised on the extra delivery and the resultant free hit, smashing a six followed by a couple of boundaries. However, Jasprit Bumrah and Mitchell Santner ran through DC’s middle order to wrap up a 59-run win and confirm Mumbai’s spot in the playoffs.
