Flashback: Five most controversial moments from IPL 2020
The 14th edition of the most sought-after T20 league in the world began on 9th April 2021, with the Mumbai Indians (MI) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) clashing against each other in the inaugural encounter. The IPL has been rocked by several controversies in the past but has emerged stronger each time it has hit a roadblock. In this article, let us take a look at 5 of the biggest controversies that hogged the limelight in IPL 2020.
5. Rohit Sharma’s fitness issues
If he isn’t there for the Australia tour he is clearly not playing the @IPL anymore Rohit. That’s a big blow for Mumbai in the business end.
— Boria Majumdar (@BoriaMajumdar) October 26, 2020
Rohit Sharma’s fitness issues became a massive talking point during the 13th IPL edition. On 26th October 2020, the Indian side announced the squads for the ODI and T20I series against Australia. Rohit Sharma was left out as he was declared unfit. However, just a week later, Rohit walked out to open the batting for the Mumbai Indians (MI), on 3rd November 2020 and played the remaining two matches for the Mumbai side as well. He also scored a match-winning 68 in the 2020 IPL final. The question is, if Rohit was ‘fit’ to walk out to bat for Mumbai in the IPL, why was he left out of the Australian tour that was to start more than two weeks later?
4. Suresh Raina pulls out of IPL 2020
Ahead of the 13th edition of the IPL, CSK’s most successful batsman and IPL batting legend Suresh Raina pulled out due to personal reasons. One theory that was doing the rounds was that Raina pulled out of the tournament because his uncle was killed. Some even speculated that the left-hander did not play the 2020 IPL edition because he was not awarded the hotel room of his choice. Raina has returned back to the CSK squad for the 2021 IPL edition and will be seen in action for the ‘Men in Yellow’ this year.
3. Tom Curran’s controversial DRS call
Tom Curran is given out.
Umpires discuss. MSD too.
Tom Curran is given not-out.#RRvCSK | #HallaBol | #RoyalsFamily pic.twitter.com/Rz1KHkA2sI— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) September 22, 2020
On 22nd September 2020, the Rajasthan Royals beat the Chennai Super Kings by 16 runs. But then, the match was not without drama. Off the 5th ball of the 18th over, Deepak Chahar bowled a length ball to Tom Curran. Curran missed it, and the ball clearly bounced in front of the keeper. But MS Dhoni went ahead with the appeal. The umpire signalled that it was out, but Curran opted for a review. Even though the Rajasthan side did not have any reviews left, the decision was still referred to the third umpire. After looking at several replays, the third umpire ruled that Curran was not out, and the CSK outfit was not happy with the decision.
2. Short-run call in KXIP vs DC match
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.
Short Run nahin tha. And that was the difference. #DCvKXIP pic.twitter.com/7u7KKJXCLb— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) September 20, 2020
One wrong short-run call cost the Punjab Kings side the match! On 20th September 2020, Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals clashed against each other. The Delhi side scored 157/8 in their allotted 20 overs. In reply, the Punjab Kings (PBKS) too, scored the same total, and the match went into the Super Over. And, the Delhi outfit won the Super Over to emerge as the winner.
But then, an incorrect short-run call was awarded off the 3rd ball of the 19th over during Punjab’s innings by the on-field umpire even though the batsman, Chris Jordan had slid his bat past the popping crease. This incident proved to be vital, as the Punjab side would have won the rubber if not for this dubious decision. This incident even made the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) alter the entire rule, and from the 2021 IPL edition, the third umpire has been bestowed with the power to overturn an incorrect short-run call.
1.MS Dhoni’s influence on an umpiring decision
The wide Paul Reifell was about to give, but didn’t after Shardul Thakur and MS Dhoni raised objections. pic.twitter.com/llij5VpQyt
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) October 13, 2020
On 13th October 2020, the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) side beat the Sunrisers Hyderabad outfit by a margin of 20 runs. But then, an umpiring decision by Paul Reiffel grabbed the attention. Off the second delivery of the 19th over of the SRH innings, Shardul Thakur bowled a delivery that was clearly past the wide line, and Reiffel was about to signal a wide. But MS Dhoni was not happy with the decision and questioned the umpire. The umpire immediately overturned the decision, and the wide was not awarded.
