[Watch] How An Umpiring Howler Cost RCB The Game Vs KKR; It Wasn't The Kohli No-Ball
Umpires were on the firing line during the KKR-RCB match (AP Photo)
In another nail-biting encounter in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) faced off against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the iconic Eden Gardens stadium in Kolkata on Monday.
The match was a tense affair, with the two-time IPL champions successfully defending their target of 223 runs, as Bengaluru fell short by just 1 run.
While the game provided entertainment for the fans, the decision-making of the on-field umpires and the TV umpire sparked controversy.
The umpires faced criticism, particularly regarding Virat Kohli's dismissal and another contentious decision involving a possible six denied to RCB.
In the chase of 223 runs with four wickets in hand and with in-form Dinesh Karthik and Suyash Prabhudessai at the crease, RCB were very much in the game.
During the 17th over of their innings, Prabhudessai struck a shot off Varun Chakaravarthy's delivery that seemed to head towards the boundary ropes, raising the question of whether it was a four or a six.
However, the on-field umpire ruled it as a four without consulting or referring the decision to the third umpire, while the television footage provided inconclusive evidence.
After the match, many fans took to social media to share a detailed analysis of the shot, explaining that the ball had indeed crossed the boundary ropes, warranting it to be counted as a six rather than a four as ruled by the umpires.
Had the shot been awarded as a six, RCB would have clinched victory instead of losing by a mere single run.
Although the videos circulating on social media suggested that the ball might have cleared the ropes, the evidence was not conclusive enough to make a definitive judgment.
However, it was perplexing that the incident was not referred to the third umpire, Michael Gough. This decision indeed denied RCB a victory against KKR in Kolkata.