Jos Buttler's third ton of IPL 2022 overshadowed by 'no-ball' controversy

Delhi Capitals assistant coach enters field during chase over umpire's call as Rajasthan win by 15 runs in tense IPL 2022 clash

Delhi Capitals assistant coach Pravin Amre talks with the umpire during the chase against Rajasthan Royals at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Friday, April 22, 2022. Sportzpics for IPL

Jos Buttler of Rajasthan Royals scored his third century of IPL 2022 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Sportzpics for IPL

Jos Buttler's century helped Rajasthan Royals post 222-2 against Delhi Capitals in Mumbai. Sportzpics for IPL

Sanju Samson scored a quickfire 26 for Rajasthan Royals. Sportzpics for IPL

Sanju Samson celebrates the wicket of Shardul Thakur of Delhi Capitals. Sportzpics for IPL

Prasidh Krishna was the star bowler for Rajasthan Royals. Sportzpics for IPL

Rovman Powell raised Delhi Capitals' hopes in the final over, hitting three sixes. Sportzpics for IPL

Jos Buttler scored his third century of the season but Rajasthan Royals' thrilling win over Delhi Capitals was overshadowed by farcical protests over an umpire's call on a high full toss in the final over.

Buttler hit 116 as Rajasthan won by 15 runs in a stormy IPL 2022 match at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.

England's Buttler hit nine fours and nine sixes in his 65-ball innings to set Delhi a steep target of 223.

However, the match saw tensions boil over between the players, on-field umpires and Delhi captain Rishabh Pant over a full toss in the last over of the run chase.

Delhi needed 36 to win and Rovman Powell hit three sixes off the first three deliveries against fellow West Indian Obed McCoy.

McCoy's third delivery was a high full toss around Powell's waist, which Pant and Delhi thought should have been called a no ball. Pant even sent assistant coach Pravin Amre onto the field to argue his case, disrupting the match and clearly showing dissent.

"Everyone was frustrated because it was not even close, so I thought it was a no ball. Everyone in the ground saw that," Delhi captain Pant said after the match.

"Obviously it wasn't right, but what happened with us was also not right. It was just the heat of the moment."

However, Delhi assistant coach Shane Watson said what happened in the last over was "disappointing" and umpires' decision has to be accepted.

"In the end, the one thing at the Delhi Capitals you don't stand for is what happened. The umpires' decision, whether it's right wrong, we have to accept it. Someone running on to the field certainly we can't accept. It's not good enough."

Powell hit 36 off 15 balls with five sixes but fell to McCoy's last delivery of the match, with the break in play ostensibly affecting his momentum.

Earlier Buttler and opening partner Devdutt Padikkal (54 off 35 balls) gave Rajasthan the perfect start, adding 155 for the first wicket.

Padikkal fell to Indian left-arm pacer Khaleel Ahmed and Buttler's scalp was claimed by Bangladesh's Mustafizur Rahman.

Rajasthan skipper Sanju Samson played an impressive cameo with 46 off 19 balls with three sixes and five fours to help post 222-2.

In the chase, Delhi openers David Warner (28 off 14) and Prithvi Shaw (37 off 27) tried to keep the run rate up but the middle-order failed to fire, until Powell came to the party.

Rajasthan spinners Yuzvendra Chahal and Ravichandran Ashwin bowled eight overs between them and took three wickets for only 60 runs.

Young pacer Prasidh Krishna was the standout bowler, giving away just 22 runs in his four overs for the key wickets of Warner, Pant and Lalit Yadav. Also, he bowled a wicket maiden in the 19th over of the chase, effectively sealing the match.