IPL ‘man of the match’ referee following short-lived howler

Nitin Menon poses during the ICC referee workshop in Brisbane on February 12, 2020.

Former star from India Virender Sehwag He led criticism on Monday after a refereeing error that may have affected the outcome of an Indian Premier League (IPL) match.

Kings XI Punjab lost to Delhi Capitals in a super over on Sunday after the teams tied at 157 apiece at the end of the Twenty20 match.

But on the 19th of the Punjab chase, square leg referee Nitin menon he had signaled Chris Jordan for a sprint, without landing his bat inside the crease as he ran between the wickets.

Television replays showed Jordan’s bat was in the fold. But nothing can be done as the third referee has no authority to overrule a call on the field, unless it is referred for review.

In the super, fast South African Kagiso Rabada struck twice to limit Punjab to just two runs, a total that Delhi topped by just three balls.

When social media erupted over the short-term decision, Sehwag tweeted: “I do not agree with the choice of the man of the match. The referee who gave this short run should have been the man of the match.

“Short Run nahin tha (it wasn’t a short term). And that was the difference.”

Cricketer-turned-commentator Aakash Chopra posted: “A short that was not. Technology must take over in these cases … What if #KXIP does not reach the last four by 2 points?”

Refereeing standards were also questioned at last year’s IPL, during which India captain Virat Kohli briefly commented: “We are not playing club cricket.”

Kohli’s team, Royal Challengers Bangalore, was denied victory when the referees missed a clear no-ball from Lasith Malinga of the Mumbai Indians in the final delivery.

The richest T20 league in the world is played in the United Arab Emirates after being moved out of India due to the increase in coronavirus cases.