After India pacer Akash Deep's delivery that bowled Joe Root ignited debate, the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) intervened on Monday to provide the definitive word on cricket rules. Late on Day 4 of the second Test in Birmingham, where India defeated South Africa by a record margin of 336 runs to tie the series 1-1, the event took place.

Moments after Akash bowled Root for just 6 off 16 balls with an in-angling delivery that broke the stumps, BBC TMS commentator Alison Mitchell noted that it was a back-foot no-ball, implying that a potential umpiring error might have cost England a crucial wicket.

“The delivery from Akash Deep — which we said was wide off the crease — his foot on the back crease is out,” she stated. Judging by the looks, it seems to be around two inches. Perhaps a little bit more. But at ease. As a result, his back foot, which must touch inside the line, only touches around two inches outside of it. Didn't get picked up!

Following her statement, there was a social media outcry, with supporters posting screenshots and videos implying that Akash's back foot had made contact with the return crease. While commentating on JioStar, former England batsman Jonathan Trott shared the same opinion.

But the MCC made it clear that it is where the foot initially lands that matters. The delivery is lawful if the original contact point is behind the return crease, even if the foot later slips over it.

The delivery from Akash Deep, which bowled Joe Root, was questioned on day four of India's Test against England last week, with some fans and commentators suggesting it was a no ball, according to an MCC spokesman who spoke to Cricbuzz.

The third umpire did not call a no ball, even though Deep landed unusually far on the crease and part of his back foot seemed to touch the ground outside the return crease. MCC is pleased to state that this was a legitimate legal conclusion.

To clarify, MCC then cited the statute pertaining to back-foot no-balls, stating that Law 21.5.1 mandates that "for a delivery to be fair in respect of the feet, in the delivery stride the bowler's back foot must land within and not touching the return crease appertaining to his/her stated mode of delivery."

The instant the back foot touches the ground has always been considered by the MCC as the first point of contact. The moment any portion of the foot makes contact with the ground, the foot has landed, and the position of the foot at that time is what should be taken into account for a back foot no ball.

Evidently, when Deep's foot first made contact with the ground, the back foot was inside the return crease and not contacting it. The fact that some of his foot may have later made contact with the ground outside the crease is unrelated to this legislation. Since he was inside the crease at the moment of landing, it was rightly considered that the delivery was legitimate, according to the MCC.

India had just been chastised an hour prior to Root's dismissal for holding out on the declaration call, with English pundits speculating that they were afraid of Bazball, so it was a major triumph for India. But after being given a goal of 608, England was reduced to three wickets for only 72 runs as a result of Root's departure.

Jamie Smith once again waged a lone battle against the Indian onslaught, but on the final day, England was bowled out for 271 runs due to a lack of assistance. With the 336-run victory, India achieved their greatest ever international victory. Additionally, they earned their first victory in 19 tries at the location.

The third Test match will be played at Lord's on Thursday, July 10.

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