Umpire drama overshadows another Buttler ton

David Warner had joked before his Indian Premier League big-hitting duel with Jos Buttler that his children had been pestering him about why he couldn't knock the ball out the park like the Englishman.

They were probably still asking the same question on Friday night after Buttler smashed his third century in just seven innings this season to power the Rajasthan Royals to a 15-run victory over Warner's Delhi Capitals.

Buttler, who hit nine sixes and nine fours in a blistering knock of 116 off 65 balls, proved a hard act to follow but Warner did at last crack a spirited 28 off 14 balls in Delhi's reply.

Image Id: 0482A53B2A2D4D46A58CA930D7D80D48 Image Caption: Buttler slammed his third hundred of the season // BCCI-Sportzpics

But the latest Buttler masterpiece in Rajasthan's imposing total of 2-222 was somewhat overshadowed by a controversial last over that marred their victory as Delhi were limited to 8-207.

Rajasthan fast bowler Prasidh Krishna, who got rid of Warner, had stood out in a game dominated by batters and grabbed 3-22 before Rovman Powell raised Delhi hopes in the last over with 36 runs needed.

Powell slammed Obed McCoy for three successive sixes, with the third one flying over mid-wicket off a hip-high delivery.

However, the on-field umpires didn't think it was a waist-high no ball, which left Delhi furious.

Delhi assistant coach Pravin Amre, standing in for full-time head coach Ricky Ponting in COVID-19 isolation, even ran onto the field and argued with the umpires as the game was delayed for several minutes by a heated argument.

Image Id: BE7C10EA8B5D411DBB4B6D73F18C11BA Image Caption: Delhi's assistant Pravin Amre pleads his case // BCCI-Sportzpics

Delhi captain Rishabh Pant was even spotted signalling to his two batters to walk off the field.

When play finally resumed, McCoy conceded just two runs on the next two deliveries before dismissing Powell off the last delivery.

"I thought the no ball could have been precious for us," Pant said.

"I thought we could have checked that no ball, but it's not in my control. Yes, disappointed, but can't do much about it."

Image Id: 30E787BAC8F14D70BA12C0D5D4A2CE01 Image Caption: Kuldeep Yadav remonstrates with Umpire Niton Menon // BCCI-Sportzpics

When asked whether it was right for a Delhi coaching staff member to challenge the umpire's decision on the field, Pant said: "It wasn't right, but what happened with us was also not right. 

"It was just the heat of the moment, can't do much about it."

Pant believed if that third McCoy delivery was declared a no ball, his team could have won.

"I thought we could have done pretty well from there," he said.

"It hurts more when you go so close, especially in a match when the other team has scored 220 runs. … I can only tell them to have their chin up."

Rajasthan raised this IPL's highest total thanks to a brilliant 155-run opening stand between Buttler and Devdutt Padikkal, who scored 54.

Skipper Sanju Samson added an unbeaten 46 off just 19 balls.

Buttler's exhilarating knock ended in the penultimate over when he was caught by Warner at long on off Mustafizur Rahman.

The 2022 Indian Premier League will be broadcast live in Australia on Fox Sports and live streamed on Kayo

Australians in IPL 2022

Delhi Capitals: Mitchell Marsh, David Warner

Gujarat Titans: Matthew Wade

Kolkata Knight Riders: Pat Cummins, Aaron Finch

Lucknow Super Giants: Marcus Stoinis, Andrew Tye

Mumbai Indians: Tim David, Daniel Sams, Riley Meredith

Punjab Kings: Nathan Ellis

Rajasthan Royals: Nathan Coulter-Nile

Royal Challengers Bangalore: Glenn Maxwell, Josh Hazlewood, Jason Behrendorff