In the 25th match of the 17th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL), Mumbai Indians (MI) defeated Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) by seven wickets. In this match played at Wankhede Stadium on 11 April (Thursday), Mumbai had a target of 197 runs to win, which it achieved with 27 balls remaining. This was Mumbai’s second win in five matches, while this was RCB’s fifth defeat in six matches. However, in this match, there were some Umpiring decisions which fans are not happy with. Let’s take a look at those decisions.
1. When Nitin took the help of the third umpire
There was a lot of chaos in the 17th over of RCB’s innings. In that over of Jasprit Bumrah, Faf du Plessis was completely beaten on one occasion and the ball went into the gloves of wicketkeeper Ishan Kishan. Ishaan appealed, but the umpire gave him not out. Both of MI’s reviews were ruined, so it could not challenge the on-field umpire’s decision.
However, on-field umpire Nitin Menon went to the third umpire because Nitin believed that the ball had hit the bat and entered Ishaan’s glove. Nitin wanted to see whether the catch was taken correctly or not. During the umpire review, third umpire Virendra Sharma also checked the ultra edge. According to IPL rules, the third umpire is also allowed to see the ultra-edge during the review by the umpire for a fair catch.
This is mentioned in Section 2.2.3 of Appendix-D of the Playing Conditions of IPL. In ultra-edge it was found that the ball did not hit Du Plessis’s bat. In such a situation, Du Plessis was saved from getting out. If Nitin Menon had given out, Du Plessis would have definitely reviewed it because the ball had not hit his bat.
— Out Of Context Cricket (@GemsOfCricket) April 11, 2024
2. No-ball controversy in the last over
There was also a controversy regarding the no-ball call in the last over of RCB’s innings. Akash Madhwal bowled the second ball a high full toss in that over, which was considered a legal ball by the on field umpire. Batsman Dinesh Karthik believed that it was a no-ball, so he took a review. It seemed that the third umpire would give the decision in favor of the batsman because the ball was staying slightly above the waist. However, the third umpire ruled in favor of the bowler. Virat Kohli also looked unhappy in the dugout with this umpiring and expressed surprise at the decision.
3. Umpiring decision on a boundary
On one occasion during this match, the on-field umpire did not give four runs to RCB’s account. Then the replays clearly showed that when the hands of Mumbai Indians fielder Akash Madhwal were touching the boundary, at the same time the ball was also coming in contact with his body. But still the umpire did not signal a four. Akash Madhwal.
4. Wide ball controversy
The umpire made a mistake in the first over of Mumbai Indians’ innings. In that over, fast bowler Reece Topley’s second ball passed inside the wide line, but the on-field umpire declared the ball wide. After watching the replays, it seemed that giving this ball wide was not appropriate.
