A dramatic moment took place during the IPL 2025 opener between KKR and RCB at Eden Gardens when Sunil Narine had a lucky escape from what looked like a hit-wicket dismissal. Though he was eventually out for 44 off 26 balls, the incident left RCB players frustrated and questioning the decision.

It happened in the 7th over, bowled by Rasikh Salam. Narine tried to duck under a sharp short ball, but in the process, his bat accidentally hit the stumps, and the bails lit up. However, the umpires ruled him not out and signaled a wide, as the ball was already in wicketkeeper Jitesh Sharma’s gloves, and Narine had completed his shot.

Why Was Sunil Narine Not Given Out Hit Wicket?

In cricket, a batter is given out hit wicket if they break the stumps while playing a shot, taking off for a run, or trying to protect their wicket with a second hit. But if the stumps are broken after the shot is finished and the ball is no longer in play, the batter is not out. In Sunil Narine’s case, his bat hit the stumps only after the ball was safely in the wicketkeeper’s gloves. Since the delivery was already over, the umpires said that not out as per Law 35.2.

Narine was NOT OUT anyway.

As per Law 35.1.1 of MCC, "The striker is out Hit wicket if, after the bowler has entered the delivery stride and while the ball is in play."

The ball wasn't in play here, as the Umpire had already declared a wide.

So, Narine was NOT OUT. pic.twitter.com/5rxVNEY0cr

— Hardik Lashkari (@HardikLashkari1) March 22, 2025

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As for the match, RCB’s new captain Rajat Patidar won the toss and chose to bowl first. They got off to a great start with Josh Hazlewood dismissing Quinton de Kock for just 4 runs in the first over. But KKR, the defending champions, bounced back well. Captain Ajinkya Rahane smashed a quick 50 off just 25 balls, while Narine played an entertaining knock of 44 off 26.