Fans of Sunrisers Hyderabad have been shaking with rage online ever since their team lost to Chennai Super Kings here on Sunday. They are positive that it was umpire Vineet Kulkarni’s decision not to call a no-ball in the 17th over that proved costly for SRH, causing the team to go down by just four runs.
During the match, Kane Williamson was batting exceptionally well when Shardul Thakur delivered a high full-toss in the second ball of the 17th over. However, Kulkarni, who was standing at square leg, to everyone’s disbelief, didn’t call it a no-ball. What got fans even more furious was that replays clearly showed that the delivery was above waist level. Vineet is now facing the wrath of cricket fans on Twitter, with some even saying sarcastically, that Vineet should have been given the ‘man of the match’ award.
Former Indian Women’s Cricket Team coach Purnima Rau feels that the match referee needs to be empowered to look into such issues immediately. “As a match referee has access to technology, perhaps he needs to be empowered to intervene and communicate to the on-field umpire their error in judgement. Umpires too, are human,” Purnima says.
International umpire V.K. Ramaswamy, who officiated at 26 Test matches and 43 ODIs, adds, “Umpires are always under pressure to give their best, and the pressure levels depend on your attitude. When he gives a decision, he feels it is the correct one in his conscience. Mistakes are bound to happen, but no one will knowingly commit one.”
