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Shubman Gill Warned After Quick Release Of Travis Head's Catch! What Does The Rule Say?

Akshita Patel

Shubman Gill warned after Travis Head's catch [Source: @CamBabon, @mufaddal_vohra/X.com]Shubman Gill warned after Travis Head's catch [Source: @CamBabon, @mufaddal_vohra/X.com]

Shubman Gill latched a stunning catch at the long-off boundary to dismiss dangerous Travis Head in the first semi-final of Champions Trophy 2025. However, the umpires warned Gill against throwing away the ball too quickly after completing the catch.

The first semi-final of the Champions Trophy 2025 is underway in Dubai between India and Australia. The men in blue bowled first but Travis Head gave Australia a quick start.

His wicket was valuable for India and hence captain Rohit Sharma introduced trump card, Varun Chakaravarthy to neutralise Head.

Chakaravarthy repaid his captain’s faith by deceiving Travis Head with a tossed-up ball around the middle-stump line. Head went for a big loafted shot but missed the timing. 

Shubman Gill, stationed at long-off, judged his position perfectly to take a clean catch. However, in a fit of emotions, he immediately dropped the ball back to the ground to celebrate the wicket.

And the umpires weren’t impressed. They had a word with Gill and reportedly asked him to hold the ball for more time.

What does the catch rule say?

According to the MCC Laws of Cricket (Law 33.3), a fielder must demonstrate full control over both the ball and their own body before a catch is deemed complete. 

A fielder must hold onto the ball long enough to prove that they have caught it cleanly. If a player catches the ball but loses balance, falls, or tumbles, the catch is only legal once they have fully regained stability. 

If the ball slips out during this process, the batsman is not out. If the ball has hit the ground somewhere along the way before control has been gained, the catch does not count.

In Shubman Gill’s case, he cannot throw the ball away until the umpires are certain that both his hands are in complete control of the catch. While the fielder got away with a warning this time, the umpires can take action if the offence is repeated.