Historic Use of Red Card in CPL as TKR's Sunil Narine Penalized for Slow Over-Rate

The Caribbean Premier League (CPL) witnessed the first application of the red card system, a football-inspired tool put in place to address slow over-rates, in a historic turn of events. During the 12th game of the current league, Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) became the first team to receive this penalty, forcing captain Kieron Pollard to order Sunil Narine off the field.

A red card will be used in the CPL's novel strategy to combat slow over-rates starting in the 2023 season. This idea was just unveiled by the league. This technology was put into action on Monday when Trinbago Knight Riders faced the St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots and experienced a sluggish over-rate.

The red card is now only applicable if the bowling team is determined to be exceeding the required overrate at the start of the 20th over. The time allotted for each over is four minutes and 15 seconds under the league's 85-minute rule for innings. The 19th over must therefore be finished in less than 80 minutes and 45 seconds. The captain must choose a player who will miss the final six deliveries of the innings when the on-field umpire issues the red card when the bowling side fails to score. In addition, the fielding side is only allowed two fielders past the 30-yard line.

On Monday, the umpire gave Trinbago Knight Riders a red card during the CPL 2023 match shortly before the start of the last over. Kieron Pollard gave Sunil Narine the go-ahead to leave the pitch right away. Narine had already finished his four-over session with the impressive numbers of 24-3.

Sherfane Rutherford, a batter for the St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots, was able to take advantage of the scenario during Dwayne Bravo's over because of the pivotal moment. He scored 18 runs, adding three boundaries and a six to his exploit. Trinbago was given a goal of 179 runs as a result.

Nicholas Pooran's impressive form came to the fore as his 61 off 32 balls created the groundwork for the Knight Riders' victorious chase. At Warner Park in Basseterre, Kieron Pollard (37), and Andre Russell (23), who made crucial cameo appearances, helped the side win by six wickets with 17 balls remaining.

Pollard expressed his displeasure with the red card penalty despite their victory—a crucial one as it represented their first win of the season after three games and extended the Patriots' winless record of six games. He expressed worry about the possible effects on players' efforts and the tournament's flow and called the penalty for a minor time violation "absolutely ridiculous."