IPL 2020: Third umpire's decision over Ruturaj Gaikwad's dismissal leaves KXIP's KL Rahul and Anil Kumble baffled

Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) are knocked out of the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) after they lost to the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on Sunday. Ruturaj Gaikwad scored his third consecutive half-century to lead his team to victory in the 19th over of the innings. But the batsman’s dismissal was the talking point earlier when KXIP player Mandeep Singh claimed the catch only for the third umpire to rule it out.

The incident happened in the 8th over of the innings when Ravi Bishnoi was bowling. The leggie bowled a flighted delivery outside the off-stump which Ruturaj sliced the drive towards backward point. Mandeep was fielding at that position who dived forward to grab a sensational catch.

He claimed it even as the ball was close to the ground and it led to the on-field umpires taking the case to the third umpire Chris Gaffaney. With the fielding team claiming the catch, the soft signal turned out to be out. The third umpire then looked at replays repeatedly from different angles and wasn’t sure whether the catch was clean.

In the end, he concluded that the catch wasn’t clean and the ball did touch the ground. However, it seemed as if he wasn’t sure and in that case, the soft signal stays with not enough evidence to overturn the on-field call. But contrary to it, Chris Gaffaney decided to rule the batsman not-out and it led to KL Rahul and KXIP coach Anil Kumble being baffled.

KL Rahul discusses the matter with umpire

The KXIP skipper and the team wasn’t clearly pleased with the decision as they were also desperate for a wicket. Kumble got up from his seat in the dug-out clearly expressing his displeasure. However, the on-field umpires explained the situation to the fielding side and advised Rahul to get on with the game.

It was a tough decision to make clearly even as Twitterati was left with split opinions. The commentators though felt that the right call was made. However, some of the fans weren’t happy with the decision while a few felt that the right decision was made.

Here are some of the tweets:

Tough call but that catch was controlled and out! #KXIPvCSK

— Brad Hogg (@Brad_Hogg) November 1, 2020

KL Rahul and Kumble look furious – I thought it was out.

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) November 1, 2020

WTF? How is that not out?

The only thing that touched the ground there was logic.

— Nikhil 🏏 (@CricCrazyNIKS) November 1, 2020

If the third umpire isn't absolutely sure, the one field decision should stand. That's why soft signals are for 😑
.
.#KXIP #KXIPvCSK #MandeepSingh

— Deepak Dawny (@DeepakDawny45) November 1, 2020

The third umpire felt the follow-up on the catch saw the ball touch the ground.

Agree?@anilkumble1074 doesn't!

LIVE #KXIPvsCSK COMMS: 👉 https://t.co/JK8lnhtsDw 👈 #IPL #IPL2020 #KXIPvCSK #KXIP
📷: Hotstar pic.twitter.com/sl9YTfgMiu

— 🏏FlashScore Cricket Commentators (@FlashCric) November 1, 2020

Had third umpire been part of fair play award, he would finish last.
Very poor decision and the criticality of it can't be any lesser.#CSKvKXIP #kxipvcsk #WhistlePodu

— Parth Shah (@arjunaatwar) November 1, 2020

Something never change!! PLAYER OF THE MATCH goes to "Third Umpire" #CSKvKXIP #KXIP #KXIPvCSK #KXIPvsCSK #IPL2020

— Yogeesha K (@kotian_yogeesha) November 1, 2020