The umpiring standard in this season of Indian Premier League (IPL) has been pathetic. It has left the fans as well as cricket experts angry. Having a high reputation, umpiring in IPL has been below average and former Australian cricketer Michael Clarke is fuming after one more display of awful decision.
During the game between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Mumbai Indians (MI) at Eden Gardens, umpire refused to overturn the decision of a no-ball even after getting caught in TV replays.
The umpire was KN Ananthapadmanabhan, who gave a free hit to MI citing the reason of front foot no-ball by bowler Tom Curran. However, the replay clearly showed that the bowler's foot was well behind the line and as per the rule it can't a no-ball.
Clarke, who is part of expert and commentary pane of IPL 11, called it a disgrace. “That’s not a mistake, it’s a disgrace!", he said. He found support from Boria Majumdar on Twitter. The sports journalist wrote, "The reason @MClarke23 is a personal favourite is because he calls spade a spade. Said The no ball call was not a mistake, it was a disgrace. And he was spot on."
The reason @MClarke23 is a personal favourite is because he calls spade a spade. Said The no ball call was not a mistake, it was a disgrace. And he was spot on.
— Boria Majumdar (@BoriaMajumdar) May 9, 2018
The Aussie responded to his support and replied, "That’s our job buddy, see it and make a call. Horrible umpiring on this occasion and with all the technology in our game these days it should be overturned."
That’s our job buddy, see it and make a call. Horrible umpiring on this occasion and with all the technology in our game these days it should be overturned https://t.co/1ovnOlac4H
— Michael Clarke (@MClarke23) May 9, 2018
The umpiring standards needed to be improved. The IPL committee will have to look into it as the tournament is in its crucial stage and a single wrong decision can affect a franchise big time.