A significant umpiring issue about the ejection of Rajasthan Royals (RR) captain Sanju Samson occurred during the recent IPL 2024 match between the Delhi Capitals (DC) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi.
Sanju Samson looked unstoppable as he blasted 86 runs off of just 46 balls to put RR back in the chase while chasing 222 for the win. But a contentious choice caused his innings to end early.
Mukesh Kumar bowled an over to Samson in the sixteenth over, and the RR captain lofted a shot, smashing the ball towards long-off, where DC fielder Shai Hope caught it near the boundary rope. The third umpire was consulted after the on-field umpires reviewed the replays. He determined that Hope had not grounded any portion of his feet on or beyond the rope, hence Samson was declared out.
The decision infuriated both Sanju Samson and the RR camp. After turning around to talk with the umpires, Samson initially left. Samson was also being signalled to vacate the pitch by the DC owners in the dugout. Animated conversations ensued prior to Samson’s eventual departure.
This is a tough call for the third umpire to make: Kumar Sangakkara
Kumar Sangakkara, the Director of Cricket and head coach of the Royals, voiced his disapproval of the ruling but eventually conceded.
“Depending on the replays and perspectives, you might believe that the foot has been touched at times. Still, it’s a tough call for the third umpire to make. As happens in cricket, the game was at a critical juncture. Even though we all have different opinions, you have to respect the third umpire’s ruling, as that is what the umpires ultimately decided. Cricbuzz quoted Sangakkara as saying, “If we have any other opinions, we’ll share them with the umpires and sort it out.”
Also read: “It was fairly evident,” Navjot Singh Sidhu comments on Sanju Samson’s contentious termination from DC
Pravin Amre, an assistant coach for DC, however, backed Hope and said that “some momentums are very crucial in (the) IPL.” This was the point at which our game decided. I believe Sanju was hitting really well. Honestly speaking, we must give Hope credit for her ability to judge that catch. There are umpires as well as a tonne of technology. Umpire number three gave it to him. It wasn’t an easy catch; therefore, I will give Hope credit because the umpire’s decision is final,” he remarked.
Following Samson’s removal, the hosts took control of the game, holding the Rajasthan-based team to 201/8 and winning by 20 runs. The Player of the Match accolade went to Kuldeep Yadav for his 2/25 spell.
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