DRS controversy reaches WPL as bizarre call leaves fans stunned

Game 11 of the ongoing Women’s Premier League (WPL 2024) featured a clash between Royal Challengers Bangalore women and UP Warriorz women at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore, on Monday, March 4. As Bangalore continued their run of brilliant form, one of the biggest highlights of the game came in the second innings. 

Star Sri Lanka cricketer Chamari Athapaththu became the victim of one of the most controversial DRS decisions of the tournament. In the seventh over of the second innings, Athapaththu got pinged on the pads, and after a loud appeal, the umpire did not give it out. 

However, a review by Bangalore saw the DRS showing something completely different. The hawkeye’s projection should have shown the delivery turning left and should have been missing the leg stump. However, the delivery turned the other way, like a googly, and Chamari Athapaththu was dismissed. 

The clip of the same has been doing the rounds all over X (formerly known as Twitter). Athapaththu was in disbelief seeing the DRS and UP Warriorz skipper Alyssa Healy engaged in an argument with the official as the Bangalore players celebrated the wicket. 

Bangalore maintain brilliant run of form

Speaking of Royal Challengers Bangalore women, the side has heavily improved on their performances as compared to the maiden season of the WPL. It is worth noting that the Smriti Mandhana-led side has played five games in the tournament so far, where they have won three and lost two matches, and currently sit in third place in the standings. 

Their clash against UP Warriorz saw them batting first and an 80-run knock by Mandhana, with Ellyse Perry adding 58 runs on the board. Bangalore managed to post a total of 198 runs on the board in the first innings. 

As for Warriorz, Anjali Sarvani, Deepti Sharma, and Sophie Ecclestone were among the wicket-takers, with one wicket each to their names. Aiming to chase down the target, UP Warriorz only managed to score 175 runs, with Alyssa Healy scoring 55 runs, as the side lost the game by 23 runs.