In what turned out to be a pulsating encounter, Sunrisers Hyderabad clinched a nail-biting victory against Rajasthan Royals by just one run in the 50th league match of the IPL 2024 T20 cricket series on May 2nd. However, the match was marred by a controversial umpiring decision that left the Rajasthan Royals camp fuming.
Winning the toss, Hyderabad opted to bat first against the table-toppers Rajasthan. They posted a challenging total of 201/3 in their allotted 20 overs, courtesy of Travis Head’s impressive half-century.
During Hyderabad innings, an incident in the 15th over sparked controversy. Travis Head, who was batting brilliantly, faced a delivery from Avesh Khan. Unfortunately for him, he failed to make contact, and the ball went straight into the hands of wicketkeeper Sanju Samson. What followed was a series of events that left the Rajasthan camp furious.
As Head missed the ball, wicketkeeper Sanju Samson noticed that Head’s foot was outside the crease and swiftly attempted to run him out. However, it was Head’s bat that caught the attention of the umpire. As Samson’s throw hit the stumps, Rajasthan appealed for a run-out.
The third umpire was called into action to make the crucial decision. Replays showed that at the exact moment the ball hit the stumps, Head’s bat was on the ground. However, in the subsequent frame, it was in the air as Head walked forward. Despite the confusion, the third umpire adjudged Travis Head not out, citing that the bat was grounded when the ball hit the stumps.
This decision left the Rajasthan Royals and their director, Kumar Sangakkara, fuming. Sangakkara was seen engaging in a heated argument with the fourth umpire, expressing his dissatisfaction with the decision.
“Look Good,” Sangakkara could be heard saying in frustration, as the decision flashed on the big screen.
The controversy, however, didn’t deter Avesh Khan, who dismissed Travis Head on the very next ball, ensuring the match continued despite the uproar.
In the end, Sunrisers Hyderabad managed to defend their total, restricting Rajasthan Royals to 200/7 in 20 overs and clinching victory by just one run. Bhuvneshwar Kumar starred with the ball for Hyderabad, picking up three crucial wickets.
While Hyderabad celebrated a hard-fought victory, the umpiring controversy left a bitter taste in the mouth, and the debate over the decision is likely to continue for days to come.