IPL 2020: ‘He called out the batsman’s movement’, Gavaskar defends Dhoni on questioning umpire’s wide call

Umpire Paul Rieffel changed his decision after Dhoni's angry reaction.

Dhoni was left angry after umpire declared it wide | ScreengrabChennai Super Kings (CSK) on Tuesday (October 13) registered a comprehensive 20-run victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) to keep their play-offs hopes alive.

Apart from CSK’s domination with the bat and ball, the match also grabbed the headlines for MS Dhoni’s inexplicable act.

WATCH – MS Dhoni shows his brutal power, smashes 102m long six off T Natarajan

During the 19th over of SRH's innings, Dhoni questioned umpire Paul Rieffel over his wide call and the latter instantly changed his decision.

Fans on social media were unhappy over Dhoni's reaction to the call and they accused the CSK skipper of bullying the on-field umpire. Although the decision didn't make much difference in the eventual result, fans believe Dhoni can't get away with such antics every time.

Meanwhile, batting legend Sunil Gavaskar has come out in Dhoni’s defence, saying the CSK captain wasn’t rattled and he only called out the batsman’s movement towards the ball.

“I don’t think he was rattled but obviously he a little concerned about what had happened with the last delivery from Karn Sharma which went for a boundary because he didn’t expect him to bowl that delivery,” Gavaskar said on Star Sports after the match.

“And there it is again, for the wide he called that the batsman had moved or maybe the batsman got a bit to it. Whatever it was, the last two overs were thrilling to watch. That’s what the T20 is all about, that’s what the IPL is all about.”

This wasn’t the first time Dhoni has protested against an umpiring decision. During the last year’s IPL, he was seen walking out to have an argument with umpires over a no-ball call in a game against Rajasthan Royals.

 
 

By Salman Anjum - 14 Oct, 2020

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