WATCH: Out or Not out? Phil Salt’s catch to dismiss Heinrich Klaasen sparks social media debate during IPL 2026 opener

Heinrich Klaasen was controversially given out in the IPL 2026 opener RCB and SRH.

By Salman Anjum - 28 Mar, 2026

Phil Salt’s catch to dismiss Heinrich Klaasen | Getty/X Heinrich Klaasen was controversially given out during the IPL 2026 opener between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on Saturday (March 28).

Klaasen attempted to heave a delivery from Romario Shepherd toward the leg-side in the 13th over of SRH’s innings, but was caught by Phil Salt near the boundary rope.

The dismissal sparked debate as Salt appeared to roll or tread near the boundary cushion to maintain balance. Since the broadcasting angles were inconclusive, commentators such as Sunil Gavaskar and Danny Morrison also questioned whether the boundary cushion had moved.

Upon review, third umpire Rohan Pandit adjudged it a fair catch, and an unhappy Klaasen was forced to depart for 31 off 22 balls.

Your call. I believe the cushion clearly was displaced by Salt’s feet while completing the catch. Not out and six, bad call, don't know how you can fluff that up as a third umpire. Klaasen was not out.#IPL2026 https://t.co/yQDyLM6BY8 pic.twitter.com/7HzMiQqSvR
— Adarsh (@adarshisit) March 28, 2026

Heinrich Klaasen’s dismissal also stirred significant debate on social media regarding whether the boundary cushion was touched when Phil Salt completed the grab.

Here are the reactions:

Looked to me like the foot had touched the boundary sponge to me … that’s a big call for RCB .. #IPL2626 .. Not sure how you can give that out and be absolutely sure no part of the foot touched the sponge .. and the sponge moved .. a bit of a giveaway .. @cricbuzz
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) March 28, 2026

The Klaasen catch deserved a better angle to make it conclusive. Very dodgy decision #SRHvsRCB
— Vikrant Gupta (@vikrantgupta73) March 28, 2026

Poor umpiring in the first IPL match itself!

Phil Salt clearly touched the boundary cushion while taking Klaasen's wicket. pic.twitter.com/911C4Rdfm9
— Brutal Truth (@sarkarstix) March 28, 2026

That looks like a shocker for third umpire Rohan Pandit. Salt's feet definitely touched the boundary cushions. I cannot believe he gave a possibly game changing decision that quickly. SRH fans will be fuming.
— Joy Bhattacharjya (@joybhattacharj) March 28, 2026

50+ camera angles were available, yet they showed only one. That too in which it appeared that Phil Salt touched the rope. ???? pic.twitter.com/dsprgrfdXg
— Selfless⁴⁵ (@SelflessCricket) March 28, 2026

Out or not-out? pic.twitter.com/0ETJjBj3DB
— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) March 28, 2026

Klaasen - out or not out - What is your call? ???? pic.twitter.com/ovL2Tj0Alu
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) March 28, 2026

This has to be the closest catch to the boundary rope I have ever seen. pic.twitter.com/GhGnMX7F2x
— Kanav Bali (@Concussion__Sub) March 28, 2026

????POOR UMPIRING FROM THRID UMPIRE????

- Heinrich Klaasen hit the ball and even in this picture you can see Phil salt left feet touching the Roops, but third umpire completely ignored it and gave out. Heinrich Klaasen wasn’t happy with the decision.

Well paid @RCBTweets ???????? pic.twitter.com/9Ib4FXKXfg
— JB (@93Yorker) March 28, 2026

WATCH: Out or Not out? Phil Salt’s catch to dismiss Heinrich Klaasen sparks social media debate during IPL 2026 opener

Heinrich Klaasen was controversially given out in the IPL 2026 opener RCB and SRH.

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