Bad Umpiring is ruining the reputation of the biggest T20 league in the world, IPL. Many controversial and match-defining bad decisions have already happened, with only one-third of the tournament done.
IPL thrives on its quality in every department against the other T20 leagues globally. However, bad umpiring is downgrading the coveted stature of IPL in the cricketing fraternity.
Instances of bad umpiring in IPL 2022:
1- The third umpire wrongfully gives Kane Williamson out
The incident happened in Sunrisers Hyderabad versus Rajasthan Royals game. SRH was chasing a massive total of 210, and their skipper Kane Williamson had a lot of responsibility to take his side home. However, third umpire KN Ananthapadmanabhan made a horrible decision when Williamson nicked one, and the ball went flying to Samson, who could only get a glove on it.
The ball bounced from Samson’s gloves, and Devdutt Padikkal completed the catch, but the replays were clearly depicting that the ball had touched the ground before Padikkal caught it. Nevertheless, the third umpire shocked everyone and probably changed the course of the match with his controversial decision.
2- Two consecutive on-field wrong decisions against Ajinkya Rahane
In Delhi Capitals versus Kolkata Knight Riders game, Ajinkya Rahane sought DRS in two consecutive balls to overturn the on-field bad umpiring decisions. Rahane was batting against Mustafiz Rehman when an appeal for caught-behind from Delhi Capitals made the on-field umpire judge him out. However, the third umpire found that the ball had only brushed his pads.
Immediately on the ball after that, the on-field umpire adjudged him leg-before. However, the third umpire found out that the ball had first hit Rahane’s bat before crashing into the pads. The umpiring blunder had made fans question the standards of umpiring in Tata IPL 2022.
3- Wide at a crucial juncture in RR vs LSG clash
Yuzvendra Chahal was bowling the 18th over in Rajasthan Royals versus Lucknow Super Giants game. The pressure was on with Marcus Stoinis and Dushmatha Chameera smashing the bowlers.
On the 4th ball of the over, Chahal tossed it up, and the ball turned behind the bat swing of Chameera, but the on-field umpire declared it as a wide. Rajasthan went on to win the match, but this decision could have easily become an instance of bad umpiring that led to a team’s downfall.
— Vaishnavi Sawant (@VaishnaviS45) April 10, 2022
4- Third umpire’s horrible call sends Virat Kohli back
The infamous incident happened in Royal Challengers Bangalore versus Mumbai Indians clash. Virat Kohli batting on 48, had a massive appeal for leg-before and the on-field umpire judged him out. Kohli quickly referred to the decision, but to everyone’s disbelief, the third umpire judged him out even though there was a clear knick from the bat.
Commentator Nick Knight termed it an umpiring blunder on-air, and fans were left fuming over the bad umpiring in IPL 2022.
Check this out: Top 7 Umpires in International Cricket