"This is WWE level stuff!" - Fans split over Rishabh Pant asking DC batters to walk out due to controversial umpiring in IPL 2022
Although Jos Buttler scored his third century of the season, Friday's IPL 2022 game will be remembered for Rishabh Pant's frustration due to controversial decisions made by the on-field umpires in the final over of the Delhi Capitals (DC) innings.
All-rounder Rovman Powell couldn't quite pull off what could have been an incredible win for his team as the Rajasthan Royals (RR) ended up winning by 15 runs.
The Capitals think tank made a questionable decision by holding back their power-hitter Powell and promoting all-rounders Axar Patel and Shardul Thakur ahead of him.
However, Powell still gave his best while he was at the crease. With 36 required off the last over, the game seemed to be beyond DC's grasp. But Rovman Powell smashed three sixes off the first three balls and brought the equation down to 18 from three.
DC dugout, Rishabh Pant were furious with umpires' controversial decision
While it was still a steep ask, Powell was in the zone and Obed McCoy was under tremendous pressure. Replays showed that the third ball of the final over could have been above waist height, yet the on-field umpires didn't call it a no-ball.
The DC dugout was animated and captain Rishabh Pant told the players to walk off. The umpires still decided not to go upstairs for the no-ball check.
This brief stoppage in play proved to be pivotal in taking away all the momentum that Powell had. The all-rounder failed to hit any more sixes and RR eventually won the game quite comfortably.
Rishabh Pant was livid with the loss and had a brief chat with the umpires and opposition captain Sanju Samson after the game ended. DC fans were also agitated on Twitter and slammed the umpires for not calling the no-ball that could have given the Capitals a fantastic chance to win the game.
However, some fans were split on whether Pant had the right to tell his players to walk out. Here are some of the reactions:
What was third umpire doing ???
Shocking night. The umpiring has been worse than even gully-mohalla standard but Rishabh Pant had no business to suggest his batsmen to stage a walkout #DCvRR
Tu jaake kar le umpiring https://t.co/VL6jPTZ5eq
Commentators you better not shout yOu CaNnOt WaLk OnTo ThE fIeLd cause when a certain someone walked with all the aggression in the world in 2019 not one of you uttered a word
Some people are saying the 3rd umpire himself should have interferred
Le the 3rd umpire himself https://t.co/Z9OB1BkaOQ
Still laughing at the way Pant pointed to send Pravin Amre onto the ground like he is his bodyguard going to beat the umpire up
Players wildin in the academy when the coach is on leave https://t.co/2zqvlscPFq
Umpires decision is the final decision, okay man. But for how long is a team gonna face the wrath of it? On-field umpire as well as third umpire didnโt not call it a no ball. What even?
No ball or not? https://t.co/SLPRosg2nT
Delhi Capitals completely bottled it there, they had a good chance to take their players off the field and head back on the team bus after such a disgraceful umpiring decision.
Flirting Harassment https://t.co/X0GUghOd2d
Bishan Singh Bedi, Sunil Gavaskar, Arjuna Ranatunga, MS Dhoni, now Pant - what a great list to be part of.
Today Ricky ponting not present there if he was present he would have signalled it as no ball and umpires would have accepted.. https://t.co/QOUETyebfK
Declaring the innings to keep the NRR Intact, my captain ๐ https://t.co/VkPs9h4MTA
People can disagree but umpire also took it on his ego and acted emotionally in the situation rather than pragmatically.
@SriniMaama16 Unless it's a dismissal you cannot check the no ball. It wasnt being rigid,its just the rule is made that way!
Then he would have won "punch super striker of the match" award twitter.com/CSKian716/statโฆ
Dhoni walking on the field vs RR a few years ago โฆ now an assistant coach coming on the field to argue with an umpire โฆ. Cricket is changing
Umpiring is deciding the match results. Below poverty level that! ๐๐
The MS Dhoni from DC Camp: twitter.com/ursriyaz/statuโฆ https://t.co/EHi6gprkKd
Lord Thakur blessing the crowd meanwhile ๐๐๐ https://t.co/Wjpnnfbk45
@mufaddal_vohra i stand with rishabh shame on IPL they can have world class umpire for the best league in the tournament
Jo hua sahi hua. Itna close call tum refer nahi karte. Legal ball dede uske baad 3rd umpire no problem, but always fight for whats right
Powell starting the last over with 3 sixes, Praveen Amre running out on the field, Rishabh Pant calling his batsman back, umpire not checking that no ball thing โฆ Excellent entertainment, this is WWE level stuff, I was waiting for Vince McMahon to run out on the field too!
Everyone would be better off if the third umpire is made to check waist-high no balls every time.
Umpiring has been so horrible, how could the umpire be so sure about that not being a no ball. Umpireโs ego should not be bigger than the game. Third umpire should have stepped in. Nonsense.
But it's worth thinking that this loss could potentially rob DC of a spot in the playoffs. Dissenting this way is wrong, but there's too many "accept what the umpire has given" takes going around. There has to be more uniformity with regards to rules and what's acceptable.
Pant outside the third umpire's room: https://t.co/ynqKPLQTim
When every single thing is referred to the 3rd umpire itโs baffling not to take this to the 3rd umpire as the impact was very clearly above the waist.When technology is there to assist why not use it ?
3rd umpire during that controversy https://t.co/ehxCkDFLyb
Moving forward perhaps the third umpire should be checking the waist high full tosses too. If its visible, why not correct it ? #DCvsRR
Pant sent Thakur and Axar over Powell aur ab umpire pe gussa nikaal raha ๐คฃ
Funny thing these clowns started checking even ultraedge these days for stumping chance to make it a fair call but 3rd umpire ๐คก sits there quietly watching all the circus even when the replay was shown right away
It was a no ball, clear cut no ball.
Whole crowd was chanting Cheater Cheater
Worst decision from umpire
Sad for rishabh pant
#DCvsRR https://t.co/PU3b6NeDu9
Getting a bad decision from the umpire and calling your batsmen back from the field are two different events. One happens every 2nd match, the latter happens once in a decade. Pant should be severely punished for this.
Loved this attitude from Rishabh Pant.
Captains fighting hard for wrong umpiring ๐๐ฅ๐ฅ
#RR #RRvsDC #Pant #RishabhPant #NoBall #umpire https://t.co/xOQLAFP8Ai
umpire deserves a belt treatment for not giving this a no ball. https://t.co/NmlM5jnQ2a
DC might feel hard done by due to the controversial umpiring decision. A sensational maiden over from Prasidh Krishna right at the death, coupled with the Capitals' decision to send in Powell late, might have been the factors that contributed more significantly to DC's loss.