The India keeper-batter wanted the third umpire to intervene on the hip-high delivery, which would have given the Capitals an extra run and a free hit in the final over
Rishabh Pant has refused to back down after the no-ball controversy that marred Rajasthan Royals' win over his Delhi Capitals side in Mumbai.
Obed McCoy's third delivery, slammed over the boundary by Rovman Powell, looked to be above hip height, but umpires Nikhil Patwardhan and Nitin Menon didn't spot it.
Had a no-ball been awarded it would have given Capitals an extra run and a free hit - a huge boost in pursuit of the 18 remaining runs they needed for victory.
Rules state the third umpire, in this case Yeshwant Barde, can only check no balls using video technology for dismissals, but Pant wanted an intervention.
In the end, two runs and a wicket would follow from the three remaining deliveries, to give the Royals a 15-run success.
"In the end, Powell gave us a chance," Pant said at the post-match presentation.
"I thought that no-ball could have been precious for us.
"I thought we could have checked that no-ball, but [that is] not in my control. Yes, disappointed, but can't do much about it."
Pravin Amre entered the field of play to confront the umpires (BCCI)
He added: "Everyone in the ground saw it. I think the third umpire should have interfered in between and said that was a no-ball, but I can't change the rule myself."
The episode led to a heated and lengthy delay, with Pant - who at one stage appeared to beckon Powell and Kuldeep Yadav away from the middle - leading the protests from the sidelines.
Powell and Kuldeep gesticulated with Patwardhan and Menon and they were joined by assistant coach Pravin Amre.
Reserve umpire Rasdashiv Iyer was also confronted on the sidelines as chaos ensued.
The episode evoked memories of MS Dhoni marching onto the outfield to confront the umpires after another more no-ball controversy in Chennai Super Kings' win over Rajasthan Royals in 2019.
Dhoni was eventually fined 50 per cent of his match fee.
"Obviously, it wasn't right, but what happened wasn't also right," Pant conceded.
The episode evoked memories of MS Dhoni's appeals in 2019 (Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)
"It was the heat of the moment, can't do much about it.
"I think it was the fault of both the sides, not only us because throughout the tournament we have been seeing some good umpiring.
"I thought we could have done pretty well."
Needing 36 from the final over and with Powell in overdrive, the delay sucked the momentum out of the chase which had been given fresh hope after three consecutive maximums, according to assistant Shane Watson who appeared visually at least to be the voice of reason in the dugout.
"There is no question when there is a big stoppage in play like that, it can change the momentum," Watson said.
"It gave McCoy a little bit of time to regroup as well. That stoppage did play into Rajasthan Royals' hands. It was an unfortunate stoppage.
"In the end, the thing is you got to accept the umpires' decision no matter what it is - whether it is a good one or not so good one. You have just got to get on with the game.
"We are always taught as youngsters all the way through that we have got to accept the umpires' decision. That's what we should have done."
Welcome to www.thecricketer.com - the online home of the world’s oldest cricket magazine. Breaking news, interviews, opinion and cricket goodness from every corner of our beautiful sport, from village green to national arena.