Indian Premier League (IPL) Women’s T20 Challenge got off to a horrific start in terms of the decision-making of umpires. While poor umpiring has been persistent in IPL 2018, maiden Women’s IPL match got a taste of it too. In the fourth over of Smriti Mandhana’s Trailblazers’ innings, Beth Mooney tried to clear the infield with a lofted shot off Megan Schutt’s bowling. Mooney did not put much power on the shot and Veda Krishnamurthy jumped in the air to take a stunner.
However, the replay showed that Schutt was overstepping the line. It has been a regulation that the third umpire checks whether the bowler has overstepped or not. After seeing the replay, it was quite expected that the decision would be reversed but that was not the case.
Even Schutt was surprised by the decision as she celebrated the bizarre dismissal with Supernovas’ skipper Harmanpreet Kaur. Australian batter Mooney was visibly upset with the decision as she walked back to the dugout.
Here’s the video that has put a huge question mark on umpiring standards —
Poor umpiring strikes IPL Women T20 Challengehttps://t.co/pCy28l0wHc
— Faizal Khan (@faizalkhanm9) May 22, 2018
Here’s how Twitterati expressed their disappointment on the issue —
Thought that was a no-ball though….but now days the benefit of the doubt goes to the umpire. #Reviews #WomensT20Challenge
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) May 22, 2018
Lol! What was the doubt he has here..?? pic.twitter.com/mFxSbMmZMw
— Lord врач (@Super__Doc) May 22, 2018
Indian umpires are embarassing India with bullshit umpiring throughout the IPL & now in #WomensT20Challenge. This was a clear no ball but 3rd umpire was high on weeds, so was given out. #IPL2018 pic.twitter.com/qn9C9HmtxE
— Saurabh Shinde (@imsgshinde) May 22, 2018
Not surprised that the no ball wasn’t called. Such has been the umpiring this whole IPL. #WomensT20Challenge
— Static_357 (@Static_a357) May 22, 2018
Ridiculously poor umpiring again in the women’s IPL. That clearly was a no ball!
Perhaps the umpires know the rules we don’t.#Trailblazers #Supernovas #mooneydismissal— Rohit Phatate (@PhatateRohit) May 22, 2018
@ipl @StarSportsIndia @BCCIWomen Don’t just show that you Care for Women’s sport. Mean it.
1. U didn’t promote the event, the stadium is empty.
2. Don’t Give Galli cricket Umpiring, U can afford good international Umpires.#IPLWomen #IPL #WomensCricket #BCCI— Avinash Kunder (@AvinashKunder) May 22, 2018
Umpiring have been horrible this IPL and it continues in #IPLWomen
Seems like howlers from them are ignored by match referees… #IPL2018— Ankit Parikh (@Aparikh_206) May 22, 2018
Ok someone’s got to say it – Indian umpiring here at the IPL has been a damp squib. Along with howlers in the men’s IPL, a glaring third umpire error at the #WomensT20Challenge & now an edge not given. Not like it’s a cauldron of noise in Mumbai so should have been easily heard.
— Subhankar (@211shubhankar) May 22, 2018
What kind of umpiring is that???? Wow pic.twitter.com/SZVx3cTy26
— prashanth (@prash6237) May 22, 2018
It can be said that the umpiring blunder stopped Trailblazers from posting a big score. She got out after scoring just 4 runs from 4 balls.
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In the 13th over as well, the umpire made a poor decision. Jemimah Rodrigues went for a cut shot off Anuja Patil’s delivery. Despite an appeal from wicketkeeper Taniya Bhatia, the umpire paid no heed to it. Even the commentators felt that there was definitely a sound as the ball went past the bat and the snick-o-meter confirmed it.
