Umpire Anil Chaudhary’s controversial DRS call leaves Sangakkara fuming

After an encouraging 41-run partnership between Cameron Green (27) and Rajat Patidar (34), Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) slipped from 97/2 to 122/5. 

Rajasthan Royals (RR) thought they had the Reds reduced to 122/6 when Avesh Khan trapped Dinesh Karthik right in front on the veteran’s first ball. 

However, DRS came to RCB and DK’s rescue and RCB were saved the embarrassment of losing four wickets in two overs and completely collapsing in the Eliminator. 

A straightforward DRS call would have meant no one batting an eye, but a debatable decision from the third umpire Anil Chaudhary not only sent social media into a meltdown, but also left Kumar Sangakkara, RR’s Director of Cricket, absolutely fuming.

What was the controversy?

Avesh angled a good length delivery into the right-handed Karthik. The ball skid off the surface and darted in sharply. It beat DK’s inside edge and struck him right in front. The batter was given out by the on-field umpire but, after a long chat with his partner, Karthik opted to take the review.

Ultra Edge showed a spike as the ball passed the bat but there was a lot of ambiguity. Considering the ball, DK’s bat and the batter’s pads were all next to each other, it was pretty difficult to conclude that the spike was due to the ball hitting the bat. There was no clear deflection visible in the real-time or slow-mo replay either.

Image courtesy: Jio Cinema

However, despite a lot of uncertainty surrounding the origin of the spike, third umpire Anil Chaudhary overruled the decision and adjudged the batter not out. He asked the on-field umpire to overturn the decision, claiming that there was a ‘clear deflection off the bat’.

What was the reaction?

A couple of RR players were in an animated discussion with the umpire, trying to get clarification over the third umpire’s decision, but it was Sangakkara who lost his cool.

Furious with the decision being overturned, Sangakkara stormed towards the technical area and seemed to demand a meeting with the officials over the decision. 

Earlier in the season, Sangakkara also lost his cool in the aftermath of the controversial catch by Shai Hope, to dismiss Sanju Samson. There, too, the decision went against the Royals.

Interestingly, the commentators on air also seemed to think that the third umpire had made a blunder.

Did the third umpire’s call cost RR?

Karthik only added 11 runs off 13 balls but he stitched an important 32-run partnership with Mahipal Lomror (32). Had Karthik been given out, RR could very well have restricted RCB below 150.

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