IPL 2024 Season was marked by Umpire Calls generating Hot Debate

Controversial umpiring decisions involving dismissals, wides, and run-outs have sparked heated debates in IPL 2024, leading to fines for dissent and calls for better officiating.

Some umpiring decisions like these have been a source of hot debates and controversies in the IPL season of the year. The umpires have made some calls which have created a lot of doubt about whether it was a no-ball or a wide call.  The on-field umpires and TV umpires have argued among themselves on these calls. 

The most hotly-debated incident occurred when the Delhi Capitals were playing Rajasthan Royals on the 1st of October. Sanju Samson the captain of the Royals experienced a controversial given-out decision by the umpire of caught in which replays showed that the fielder's foot was touching the boundary rope. As part of a spicy dispute with umpires, Samson even walked off the field. He, on the other hand, was fined 30% of his match funds in the end for dissenting.

In the past, Virat Kohli was stumped on a high full-toss, which was possibly a doubtful delivery while playing Kolkata Knight Riders against Royal Challengers Bangalore. These replays confirmed that the ball was below the waist height, however, since it was the TV umpire that made the decision, Kohli was not able to have his review. Kohli was punished with 50% of his match fees by the ICC committee for displaying dissent.

Wide balls are another weakness of the umpires who have been making doubtful decisions and reviews that have been confusing the audience. In the Rajasthan Royals vs Gujarat Titans match, the farce of wrong calls that took place all over the field left Shubman Gill, Gujarat’s captain, bewildered. 

One instance of such occurred in a run-out decision in the Mumbai Indians V Lucknow Super Giants game. Despite the replays suggesting that Ayush Badoni had made contact with the ball with his bat, the TV umpire made the ruling and everyone was in disbelief. 

Also Read: BCCI Fines Ishan Kishan For Code Of Conduct Breach In IPL Match

For the sake of the IPL, the umpiring issue is still a target and the demand for better officiating and the use of new technology grows. The debates have caused the issue of transparency in the decision-making process in cricket to be raised once again.