IPL 2024: Zaheer Khan, Suresh Raina Blames Umpires for Rajasthan Royals’ Loss to Delhi Capitals

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Original Content: IPL 2024: Zaheer Khan, Suresh Raina Blames Umpires for Rajasthan Royals’ Loss to Delhi Capitals

The umpiring standards in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season have been very poor and questionable. In the recent IPL 2024 match between Rajasthan Royals and Delhi Capitals, the Men in Pink lost the game due to the questionable umpire decision.

Rajasthan Royals captain Sanju Samson, who was looking in great touch to complete the run chase against Delhi Capitals, was given out by the third umpire in what was looking like an unfair decision, as Shai Hope, who completed his catch at long-on, seemed to touch the boundary rope with his foot.

The on-field umpire was not sure, so he referred the decision to the third umpire, who, upon rechecking, declared him out. However, Sanju Samson, before heading back to the dugout, had an argument with on-field umpires and wanted to take a review, but the on-field umpire told him that the time to take a review had already been lost.

This did not sit well with on-air commentators Zaheer Khan and Suresh Raina, who criticized the third umpire for not checking the catch very clearly despite having world-class technology.

Former Indian fast bowler Zaheer Khan clearly stated that the decision against Sanju Samson was the reason for the change in momentum of the game.

“This decision changed the momentum of the game in Delhi’s favour. The TV umpire should have taken time before making a call. It looked like the foot of the fielder had touched the boundary rope. It was a close call and the official should have checked it from different angles,” Zaheer Khan said as quoted by CricToday.

Suresh Raina stated that the third umpire should have checked from different angles and rechecked the catch very clearly before declaring him out.

“He didn’t use different angles to come to a conclusion. Such calls need time but the TV umpire didn’t follow the right procedure,” Suresh Raina said.

As for the match, Rajasthan Royals fell 20 runs short of the target while chasing 222 runs. They are currently sitting at the second position of the points table with 8 wins from 11 matches.