Kamal Ghorui
Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar was visibly frustrated on commentary during Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s clash against Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday, after RCB took three medical time-outs in the closing stages of their IPL 2026 match. He accused the team of slowing the game down and suggested the player should leave the field for treatment instead of repeatedly stopping play.The incident took place in the 16th over of Mumbai Indians’ chase when RCB pacer Rasikh Salam Dar appeared to struggle during his run-up before the first delivery. The extreme heat and humidity in Mumbai seemed to trigger cramps, forcing him to call for the physio, leading to a brief stoppage.Although Rasikh quickly got back on his feet, he again experienced discomfort after being hit for a six by Sherfane Rutherford off the very next ball. The physio once again came out to attend to his left leg, raising concerns over repeated delays and over-rate pressure.Despite the setbacks, Rasikh managed to strike back by dismissing Naman Dhir on the following delivery. However, he went down again later in the over after the fifth ball, once more due to cramps. This time, Jitesh Sharma and captain Rajat Patidar stepped in to assist with stretching before the physio arrived for a third intervention.The repeated interruptions frustrated Gavaskar, who felt RCB should have taken a different approach. “Just go off the field, get treatment, and then come back. Whatever it is, the remaining deliveries should be bowled by another bowler. But again, now this is what—the third time the physio has come in. Are we going to see the same thing over and over again?” he said on air.As Rasikh continued receiving treatment, on-field umpires were seen looking towards the RCB dugout, where head coach Andy Flower was standing. Eventually, the pacer was taken off the field, with Romario Shepherd stepping in to complete the over.Rasikh later returned before the final over, which Rajat Patidar initially wanted him to bowl. However, the umpires stopped that decision, pointing out that he was not yet eligible to bowl again as he had not spent enough time back on the field after his injury break. Shepherd was then handed the responsibility to finish the innings.In the end, RCB held their nerve to secure an 18-run win in a high-scoring contest at the Wankhede.
