Former India cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu was not happy with the TV umpire’s decision to give Sanju Samson out after he was caught by Shai Hope very near to the boundary rope on Tuesday when Delhi Capitals (DC) took on Rajasthan Royals (RR) in IPL 2024.
The incident occurred in the 16th over when Shai Hope caught Samson at the long-on fence off Mukesh Kumar. It was a tight catch at the long-on ropes and Hope somehow managed to grab it. The third umpire checked it and declared it out.
Hope was near the boundary, and despite some unsteady movements at the finish, he made sure not to walk on the rope. However, it was unclear from the replays whether Hope finished the clean without touching the boundary.
Samson was leaving, but the Royals dugout felt the fielder had touched the rope. The Royals captain began walking away, only to return to the middle for a furious conversation with the on-field umpires.
Sanju Samson made 86 runs as RR failed to chase down 221 runs against DC and finished on 201/8, losing by 20 runs.
The official broadcaster shared a clip on X of former Indian cricketer-turned-commentator Navjot Singh Sidhu sharing his views on the controversial dismissal.
"The game changed at the dismissal of Sanju Samson. If we look at the replays side-on the foot touches the boundary twice and it's very clear. Either you don't use technology, but if you are using it, and if the technology errs, it's just like doodh mein makkhi padi hui hai aur koi aapko kahe piyo. Nahi pi sakte ho aap.
So the foot touches the boundary line twice and after that, if someone says it's out, the fans and a neutral person like me, then I would say now that you have shown it to me, now you're saying doodh mein makkhi padi hui hai aur tum mujhe keh rahe ho ki piyo, main nahi piyunga. It's not out. Whatever the rule may be, but you can see clearly, that some evidence is very strong to disbelieve. They are very conclusive. It's like finding a trout in a glass of milk. Then whatever happened there, the umpire didn't do it deliberately. No one is at fault. It happens. It's a part of the game. But the game changed there," Sidhu said on Star Sports.
Despite the loss, RR remains at the second spot in the points table with 8 wins from 11 matches.
