IPL 2020: Harsha Bhogle explains why short-run decision was not changed in DC vs KXIP game

The controversy and the Indian Premier League (IPL) go hand in hand it seems. The 13th edition was only into its second match on Sunday and a grave umpiring error has affecting the end result of the game. The Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) were at the receiving end who were denied a run despite the batsman crossing the line. The square-leg umpire adjudged it to be a short run wrongly in the 19th over of the chase and it eventually cost KXIP the game.

Moreover, the fans were left fuming over the fact that the umpires didn’t change the decision after it was shown on the big screen that they had made a mistake. Many felt that the third umpire should’ve intervened and overturned the decision. However, the renowned cricket analyst and the commentator Harsha Bhogle has explained clearly the reason why the TV umpire didn’t intervene in the matter.

According to the rules, the third umpire cannot over-rule the on-field umpire’s decision in terms of line calls, in this case, the short-run. While stating that, Harsha also felt that in future all the line calls should be adjudicated off ground to minimise errors. He was also of the opinion that the short run decision could’ve been changed in the game on Sunday after there was clear evidence that the batsman had crossed the line and completed the run.

Here are his tweets:

As things stand, the 3rd umpire cannot over-rule the on-ground umpire. But in course of time I see every line call being adjudicated off-ground with a trained replay editor, not only the 3rd umpire, watching the output of all the line cameras.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) September 21, 2020

In this case, it would have been prudent to change the score because the same batsman was on strike and the fielding team couldn't have changed tactics. Scores have been changed in international cricket in the past to rectify errors. Best time was between overs 19 & 20.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) September 21, 2020

KXIP appeal against the incorrect call

Meanwhile, the KXIP management seems to be unhappy with the decision and they have appealed to the match referee to review the rules. The CEO of the franchise, Satish Menon, feels there is no room for error in world class tournaments like IPL. While he understands that the umpires on the field can make a mistake, Satish felt the decision should’ve been reversed after there being a clear evidence.

Even Virender Sehwag lashed out at the poor umpiring after the match and took a witty dig stating that the umpire who adjudged the short run should’ve been awarded the Man of the Match.