Following their Super Over defeat at the hands of Delhi Capitals in an IPL 2020 match, Kings XI Punjab have filed an appeal with the match referee against a controversial short run call given by on-field umpire Nitin Menon.
During the 19th over of KXIP innings, as they chased 158, Menon judged that Chris Jordan, starting from the non-striker’s end. had failed to cross the line when attempting for a second run off the third delivery. Later on, replays suggested that a wrong call was made and Jordan had indeed completed the run.
As luck would have it, KXIP finished on level terms in the allotted quota of 20 overs and the contest was decided by Super Over.
“We have appealed to the match referee. While a human error can happen and we understand that, there is no room for human errors like these in a world class tournament like the IPL. This one run could cost us a play off berth,” KXIP CEO Satish Menon told PTI.
“A loss of a game is a loss of a game. It is unfair. Hope the rules are reviewed so that there is no margin for human error.” he added.
The appeal seems to be more symbolic protest as it will unlikely amount to anything with rule 2.12 (Umpire’s decision) in the IPL rule book on playing conditions stating “an umpire may alter any decision provided that such alteration is made promptly. This apart, an umpire’s decision, once made, is final.”
Several former international cricketers have had their say on the decision with Virender Sehwag taking a dig, asking for umpire to be given the man-of-the-match award.
“I don’t agree with the man of the match choice. The umpire who gave this short run should have been man of the match,” Sehwag’s sarcasm-laced tweet read.
