Sanju Samson's controversial dismissal remains the biggest talking point from the IPL 2024 clash between Delhi Capitals (DC) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi on Tuesday (May 7).
The Royals skipper had blazed away to 86 off 45 balls and looked determined to see his side home in the massive chase of 222.
However, Samson’s innings was cut short by Mukesh Kumar after he tried to hit the pacer over long-on but was caught by Shai Hope, within touching distance of the boundary ropes.
TV umpire Michael Gough checked a couple of angles without finding evidence of Hope's boots coming in contact with the boundary rope, with the decision given as out. However, many felt that the decision was made quickly by the third umpire without any substantial evidence.
After the game, former England captain Paul Collingwood also expressed his reservations about the decision made by his 'good friend' Gough.
While Collingwood defended Gough and his call, he added that the official could have given himself more time and explored more 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, to clarify, could have put everybody at ease. That might have been the best way to go," he added.
On the other hand, former Australia all-rounder Shane Watson came to the defence of Michael Gough, stating that there was no foul-play involved in Sanju Samson's dismissal.
"Look, while it may look like there has been some disturbance on the ropes, if you slow it down, and the most important umpire that the third umpire had, it looks like he just somehow managed not to touch the rope. It was really touch-and-go there, but twinkle toes, on the boundary there, Shai Hope is something very special. And you can see one of the owners, Parth Jindal, being very vocal about what he thought was the decision. I know there was a bit of confusion, but I believe the umpire got it right in the end. That angle right there [the zoom-in] should have been used. So it was very clear, so there is no indecision about that call," Watson said on JioCinema.
With this outcome, Royals remain at the second position while the Capitals move a step up to the fifth place in the 10-team points table.
