IPL 2022 | Umpires Control Game: Kumar Sangakkara opines on the no-ball controversy

A no-ball controversy transpired in Match 34 of Indian Premier League 2022 between Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Delhi Capitals (DC). With 36 needed off six balls, DC Batter Rovman Powell hit the first three balls off Obed McCoy for a six, but the third one hogged the limelight due to the doubtful case of being a no-ball.

DC captain Rishabh Pant and assistant coach Pravin Amre were proactive in their efforts to urge the umpires to send the decision upstairs, with the third umpire taking a final call with multiple replays. However, the umpires' soft signal remained the final decision.

Pant was involved in an altercation with Jos Buttler, but the assistant coach Shane Watson was seen calming the southpaw and not continuing with the flow.

The head coach of the Royals team, Kumar Sangakkara, spoke at a post-match conference regarding the no-ball controversy. He reckoned that the umpires control the game, and there is a lot of pressure involved in the IPL, and they have to conduct in a smooth manner as well.

He thinks that none of the players or the team management can dictate the terms on this particular matter.  

"I think it is the umpires that control the game. There is a lot of pressure and tension in the IPL. Things can go either way, when you have a situation like that, in the end, the umpires control the situation. And the game went on. That's how I look at it. I don't think I can really dictate what is acceptable and what's not," said Kumar Sangakkara in a press conference.

"At the end of the day, it is the players out there who play, and the umpires have a tough job in terms of calling the game, and our job as support staff is basically to support the players out there and let the game be played," he added.

After three sixes of three balls, Powell could not time the ball and certainly lost the steam. In the last ball of the match, he was dismissed as well. As a result, DC lost by 15 runs, and the Royals took the first position in the table with five wins in seven appearances.