IPL 2018 has observed many poor mistakes from the umpires and it seriously raises the question on the level of the umpiring in this tournament. In the recent game between the hosts Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, another controversial decision was taken by the umpires on which RCB skipper Virat Kohli seemed really disappointed.
Both teams showed some brilliant fielding performances along with some spectacular catches. But the controversial moment was in the second innings when SRH was chasing the big target of 219 runs.
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It was the 2.5 over when RCB player Tim Southee grabbed a superb low catch of SRH opener Alex Hales at the deep square leg. After few conversations between the two on-field umpires, they went for the third umpire to take that decision while their soft signal was out which means there have to be enough evidence to turn down that decision.
Though there was a little bit doubt even after the replays, there was no solid evidence that the ball touched the ground during the catching moment. Most of the commentators were confident that the third umpire would stay in that ‘out’ decision, but shockingly the third umpire overturned the decision by showing not out.
Everyone was shocked by that decision even some were believing that the third umpire mistakenly pressed that button, but that ultimately stayed.
RCB skipper Virat Kohli was very shocked on that decision as he discussed on that with the on-field umpires. Tim Southee was very sure on that catch and that decision made him stunned too.
Even former Indian Test opener and cricket analyst Aakash Chopra showed his disappointment with a Twitter post, “Needed conclusive evidence to overturn the soft signal…I didn’t see enough proof of ball touching the turf. But the man who mattered must have seen something…. #Hales #Southee #RCBvSRH #IPL”.
Needed conclusive evidence to overturn the soft signal…I didn’t see enough proof of ball touching the turf. But the man who mattered must have seen something…. #Hales #Southee #RCBvSRH #IPL
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) May 17, 2018
Watch that video here:
On-field drama. Out or Not Out? https://t.co/d4IvUOL4Ea
— Sahil Bakshi (@SBakshi13) May 18, 2018
However, that decision didn’t affect the game as RCB won by 14 runs while Hales was finally dismissed on 37 runs. It was the must-win game for RCB who was sent to bat first after SRH skipper Kane Williamson won the toss.
RCB batsmen dominated the visiting bowlers as they put a huge total of 218/6 on the board at the end of 20 overs. While AB de Villiers (69 runs off 39 balls) and Moeen Ali (65 runs off just 34 balls) batted with responsibly as they both scored half-centuries, Colin de Grandhomme (40 runs off 17 balls) and Sarfaraz Khan (22 runs off just 8 balls) played quick-fire knocks at the end which helped the hosts to cross the 200-run mark.
Also read: Kohli praises bowlers for victory against Hyderabad
In reply, Kane Williamson (81 runs off 42 balls) and Manish Pandey’s (62 runs off 38 balls) huge 135-run partnership brought SRH to the closer of their target. However, they ultimately failed to get that as they were restricted on 204/3 in 20 overs.
