IPL 2023, CSK vs DC | Twitter shocked as Manish Pandey's indecisiveness barbeques Marsh in middle of pitch

05/10/2023

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Run-outs are unarguably the most infuriating form of dismissal for batters in cricket, more so when they occur due to the nonsensical antics of their batting partner. Mitchell Marsh was left out to fry halfway down the track by Manish Pandey after a mix-up cost the former and DC a crucial wicket.

Chennai Super Kings kept true to their comeback spirit with a commendable bounce-back to post 167/8 on the board before some clinical new-ball bowling helped get rid of both Delhi Capitals openers by the third over itself. The hosts were, however, handed an unexpected bonus shortly after to place them in the driver's seat early in the second innings, courtesy of some hilarious running between the wickets by Manish Pandey and Mitchell Marsh.

Tushar Deshpande had the ball in his hand for the fourth over and began with a shortish delivery angling into Pandey. The veteran cautiously defended on the back foot with soft hands, in hopes of sneaking a quick single. Pandey immediately took a lunge forward to sprint towards the other end as soon as the white rock left his bat, only to realise Ajinkya Rahane was steaming towards it from short cover. The 33-year-old hesitated, his eyes fixed on the ball, even as Marsh ran down the track to complete the run in time. However, the Australian was encouraged to keep on going when Pandey took another two strides forward to indicate the run was on but once Rahane had the ball in hand, the Indian batter sold his teammate down the river by taking a sharp U-turn and hurrying back to his crease. Marsh, who was already alongside Pandey by the time, had nowhere to go once his partner had turned his back on him. Realizing his fate, he did not even make an attempt to save his wicket given he saw an ecstatic Rahane taking off towards the bowler's end in full flight before enthusiastically clipping the bails with the Kookaburra in his hand.

The Twitterati was quick to throw harsh criticism Pandey's way, considering the precarious situation the wicket left DC in, and flooded social media with reactions to the incident.

Pandey playing for CSK tonight!

pic.twitter.com/EAIq04tU3P
— Washington Ydav (@WashingtonYdav) May 10, 2023

LOL

Watching MSD and Manish Pandey together at the field.#CSKvDC #DCvCSK

My mind: pic.twitter.com/NxZcCG3yGh
— अदिति ♡ (@Chillpill06_) May 10, 2023

True

If Manish Pandey doesn't win it from here after not sacrificing his wicket for a better-bet as match-winner, he would find it difficult to face people in the dug-out.#DCvCSK
— Kushan Sarkar (@kushansarkar) May 10, 2023

Correct

Manish Pandey is an impact player for sure !!#CSKvDC
— Aishwarya 🐥 (@ASmartCivilian) May 10, 2023

Mix up

#CSKvDC Manish Pandey has sold Mitch Marsh down the river. Shud play a match winning knock or shud b benched in IPL always. Not deserving of u can't hav any impact on match playing fr yrs nd run out ur key striker. CSK on top here.
— MOHD FUZAIL AHMAD (@mohdfuzailahmad) May 10, 2023

Certainly

Manish Pandey is the impact player for CSK in today's match.
— Shubh Gupta (@Sh__ubh) May 10, 2023

Time to give hell

Manish Pandey deserves absolute hell for this harkat. #CSKvDC saala khud 2 kaudi ki form me hai...he should've sacrificed his wicket after this horrible calling
— Jatin (@JatinYdv24) May 10, 2023

Perfect for CSK fans

Manish Pandey will make it easier for CSK..if he stays till 15th over #CSKvDC
— Pavankumar (@Pavan4054) May 10, 2023

Was he selfish?

Small things like Manish Pandey being selfish and not sacrificing his wicket for the more destructive Mitch Marsh can become a BIG thing and cost you a season. #CSKvDC
— IPL Insider (@Cricket_Fantasy) May 10, 2023

They badly need it!