'Witnessed one of the worst bits of third umpiring' - Swann and Gambhir infuriated after Rahul Tripathi's catch got disallowed

Punjab Kings (PBKS) kept their qualification hopes alive by beating Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) by five wickets in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL). PBKS skipper KL Rahul scored a well-made 67 and ensured the match was finished with three balls to spare. But the story of the match could have been different had the third umpire had given the verdict in favor of KKR.

In trying to score some brisk runs during the penultimate over of the innings, Rahul pulled a short ball from pacer Shivam Mavi. Sensing there might be an opportunity of a catch, Rahul Tripathi came running in from the deep and took a great diving catch, till the third umpire came and ruled the catch as an incorrect one. Several replays showed that Tripathi had firmly put his hands below the ball.

The verdict of the third umpire has divided the world. Cricketer-turned-expert Graeme Swann, who watched the proceedings unfold felt the decision given by the third umpire is one of the worst he has seen in some time.

“I have just witnessed one of the worst bits of third umpiring in my life. That is blatantly out. Running in and taken a brilliant catch. That is superb. It’s out in full motion,” said Swann according to NDTV Sports.

It’s a terrible umpiring, that was just a joke: Graeme Swann

“That shouldn’t have been looked into anyway but they have looked at it, there is none of that silly soft signal anymore. The third umpire has somehow not got the cricketing knowledge to know that’s out. He’s looked at it from four or five angles that we saw up close and it never looked not out at any point. And yet he gave him not out. It’s terrible umpiring. That was just a joke.”

Rahul was eventfully dismissed by Venkatesh Iyer of the last over, but PBKS middle-order batter Shahrukh Khan held his composure and scored a nine-ball 22 runs to take his team over the line. After two losses, this was a much-needed victory for PBKS. The win has also enabled them to fifth position on the points table. They still have two games left to be played against RCB and CSK.