IPL 2017: 5 umpiring howlers in the season so far

While the Indian Premier League continues to be a great platform for young Indian players, for the domestic umpires, the tenth edition has turned out to be a disaster. With several umpiring howlers in the first week of the season itself, the IPL umpires have hogged the limelight for all the wrong reasons.

This year only four ICC elite umpires – Marais Erasmus, Nigel Long, Chirs Gaffney and S Ravi – are officiating in the league. Thus the domestic umpires have received an opportunity to prove their mettle in the volatile league. However, the start to IPL 10, as far as the umpires are concerned, has been anything but promising.

"Over the past three years, elite umpires have been reluctant to come for IPL as it is a very hectic, high-pressure tournament. Besides, this year, the Champions Trophy will be staged two weeks after the IPL,” a BCCI official told Times of India.

This forced the inexperienced domestic umpires into the fold, which resulted in these five umpiring howlers in the first week of IPL 10.

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Mumbai Indians vs Sunrisers Hyderabad

It was the last ball of the sixth over of Sunrisers Hyderabad‘s innings – bowled by Jasprit Bumrah – and David Warner struck one cleanly for a six. However, umpires Nitin Menon and Nandan allowed Warner to take strike for the first ball of the next over despite the boundary.

Neither of the two umpires - Nandan nor Menon - noticed the error and surprisingly even the TV umpire YC Barde did not bring it to their notice.

Mumbai Indians vs Sunrisers Hyderabad

Dhawan survived by the skin of his teeth

In the same game between Mumbai and Hyderabad, Shikhar Dhawan survived a close call when Krunal Pandya at mid-off took a spectacular diving catch. In the 8th over, a delivery outside off stump from Krunal’s brother was hit high up by Dhawan but the fielder’s excellent athleticism helped him grab the ball with a spectacular dive.

However, the umpire didn’t appear confident about Krunal’s claim and left it to the third umpire to decide. Without any conclusive evidence, the 3rd umpire flashed the not out sign. But the replays suggested that Dhawan should have walked back to the dressing room instead of enjoying the benefit of doubt.

Mumbai Indians vs Kolkata Knight Riders

Rohit Sharma was at the receiving end of an absolute howler

During the tenth over of the Mumbai Indians innings against the Kolkata Knight Riders at the iconic Wankhede Stadium, captain Rohit Sharma was adjudged leg before wicket by umpire CK Nandan. But several replays showed how wrong the umpire was as Nandan failed to spot a big inside edge. Following this, Rohit was seen gesturing in anger and showing his bat to the umpire as he walked away.

Sharma was later reprimanded by the match referee for his actions.

"Sharma admitted to the Level 1 offence 2.1.5 of the IPL Code of Conduct for Players and Team Officials. For Level 1 breaches of the IPL Code of Conduct, the Match Referee's decision is final and binding," read the official statement.

Mumbai Indians vs Kolkata Knight Riders

Parthiv survived after CK Nandan failed to spot an edge

In that same game, Parthiv Patel took a wild swing at a length delivery but missed. Perhaps due to the crazy atmosphere at the Wankhede, everyone but Uthappa failed to hear the nick. The umpire was unmoved but ultra-edge went on to that the ball had indeed brushed the bat.

Later, Jos Buttler too was given leg-before-wicket to Ankit Rajpoot to a delivery which was going down leg. The umpire who made these shockers was again CK Nandan.

Mumbai Indians coach Mahela Jayawardene remarked after the game, “It happens. It is not in our control. I don’t think anyone makes those mistakes. But wish for a change that the opposition can take our wickets.”

Mumbai Indians vs Rising Pune Supergiant

Imran Tahir celebrates the dismissal of Jos Buttler

Pune’s Imran Tahir reaped the benefit of a poor call from umpire S Ravi, when he adjudged Mumbai’s Jos Buttler out LBW despite the ball hitting the bat first. Ravi failed to see the inside edge and sent the Englishman on his way. Later, MI’s Kieron Pollard survived a plumb leg-before decision off the very same bowler.

Both Tahir and wicket-keeper Dhoni looked confident in their appeal, however, after the appeal was turned down, Dhoni sarcastically mimicked a DRS sign to tell Ravi that his judgement was wrong. The former Pune captain was later reprimanded for breaching IPL’s code of conduct.