In the heart of an intense IPL 2024 match between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Rajasthan Royals, a pivotal moment sparked controversy and left RR’s head coach Kumar Sangakkara seething. The clash unfolded in the 50th match of the tournament at Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium.
The source of the uproar was a contentious decision made by the third umpire. It all unfolded in the 15th over as Avesh Khan delivered to Travis Head. On the third ball, Avesh’s full delivery outside off drew Head into a chase, but he failed to connect. As he lunged for the ball, Head stumbled out of his crease.
Rather than swiftly returning to the crease after losing his balance, Head hesitated. In that moment, wicketkeeper Sanju Samson seized the opportunity, swiftly collecting the ball and throwing it underarm towards the stumps. Head scrambled back, but it appeared he was a fraction late.
ALSO READ: Rohit Sharma Addresses Selection Of Spinners and Mumbai Indians Captaincy
The decision went upstairs to the third umpire, whose replays revealed Head’s bat was airborne when the ball dislodged the bails. Despite this, the third umpire controversially ruled that the bat had grounded and ruled in favor of the batter, much to Sangakkara’s dismay, who didn’t hold back his frustration.
It didn’t matter in the end 🤷♂#SRHvRR #TATAIPL #IPLonJioCinema pic.twitter.com/qdui7WrAVu
— JioCinema (@JioCinema) May 2, 2024
Fortunately for RR, the decision didn’t alter the outcome as Avesh Khan swiftly removed Head on the next delivery. Attempting a lap shot, Head ended up guiding the ball onto his stumps, departing after a commendable 58-run innings from 44 balls, embellished with six fours and three sixes.
ALSO READ: Ajit Agarkar Reveals Reason For Rinku Singh’s Snub From T20 World Cup Squad
As the match progressed, SRH managed to reach formidable score of 201 for 3 in the 20 overs, with Nitish Reddy and Heinrich Klaasen tonked the bowlers in teh slog overs.
