The IPL 2024 match between Delhi Capitals and Rajasthan Royals grabbed a lot of limelight, due to the controversial dismissal of Sanju Samson. Chasing 222, RR put up a great fight with skipper Samson leading from the front. However, he was caught on 86 by Shai Hope after he tried to smash a shot towards the long-on of Mukesh Kumar‘s delivery. The catch has led to a massive controversy with fans and experts split over whether Hope was able to complete the catch without touching the boundary rope.
The decision went to the third umpire, who then declared Samson out. Many experts and former cricketers gave their take regarding the catch and former India batter Wasim Jaffer also stated that the third umpire should have taken more time before giving the decision.
“With the replays that we saw, I felt he was out. The foot didn’t touch the rope. There wasn’t conclusive evidence. There was an international umpire there. Shai Hope also said that, although obviously, the fielder will say that only. But overall, with how it looked, I felt that was out,” Jaffer told ESPNCricinfo.
“They should’ve taken more time. I’m surprised at how quickly they decided. It was a very important moment in the match. RR’s win depended on that. You could’ve looked at it with 2-3 more angles or a super slow-mo, too. I felt they took a decision in a hurry,” he added.
Apart from Jaffer, former England batter Paul Collingwood also gave a similar opinion and stated that the third umpire should have checked different angles.
“Goughy (Michael Gough) is a very good friend of mine. So I am going to defend him (chuckles). Maybe he could have given himself another angle, just to double-check. Because it was so, so close. Those decisions and those moments make a huge difference. So maybe he could have given himself a little bit more time,” Collingwood told Star Sports.
“I know in the IPL, the organisers want to quicken things up, the umpires are being told that they have got to quicken the decisions. I think, on this occasion, a couple of more angles, just to clarify could have put everybody at ease. That might have been the best way to go,” he added.
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