Courtesy: BCCI/IPL
With the 2025 edition of the IPL set to begin in just two weeks time, the excitement around this competition is surely building. Over the years, the IPL has been characterized by closely contested thrilling matches and a lot of entertainment. The biggest players from around the world have played in this prestigious event and the fanbase of the teams has grown exponentially over the years. Along with all this drama, the IPL action has never been shy of controversies.
Top four biggest controversies from the IPL 2024 season.
1. Sanju Samson’s controversial boundary catch decision
The 56th match of the IPL was taking place between DC and RR on May 7, 2024, at the Arun Jaitely Stadium. Delhi had posed a massive total of 222 for the Royals to chase. Rajasthan skipper Sanju Samson was in fine form having scored 86 off 45 balls when he was caught on the boundary by Shai Hope. The decision of the catch was reviewed by the third umpire as Hope’s feet were very close to the boundary line. In the end, the decision was given in favour of the Delhi Capitals, but Samson was seen having a very prolonged discussion with the field-umpires over this controversial call to send him back into the pavilion.
2. Virat Kohli’s disputed no-ball dismissal
During a match between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL 2024, Virat Kohli faced a high full toss delivery from Harshit Rana. Kohli attempted a shot, but was caught, leading to discussions about the delivery's legality concerning height. The on-field umpires referred the decision to the third umpire, who deemed the ball legal, resulting in Kohli's dismissal. It led to Kohli expressing his dissatisfaction openly by shouting at the field umpires before he left the pitch, leading to a fine for dissent.
3. MI’s dugout signalling for DRS review
In the Mumbai Indians versus Punjab Kings match on April 18 last year in the IPL 2024, a controversy erupted regarding a DRS call taken by Suryakumar Yadav regarding a wide-ball incident. Arshdeep Singh bowled a delivery outside the off-stump which was not given as a wide ball by the field umpire. The batter on crease; Suryalumar Yadav did not initially take a review of the decision, but later changed his mind. It was then understood that Yadav was hinted at from the Mumbai Indians dugout by members of the coaching staff to take the review.
4. Travis Head not out decision for run out incident
Another controversial moment from the IPL 2024 was the not out decision given by the third umpire over a run out involving SRH batter Travis Head. In the encounter between SRH and RR on May 2 last year, Travis Head was given not out after RR wicket-keeper Sanju Samson threw the ball at the stumps from behind when Head missed a wide delivery by stepping out. The third-umpire did check the video review to give a decision of not out, but fans and pundits alike said that it was a wrong decision as Travis Head’s bat was in the air when the ball hit the stumps. The decision could have been the turning point for RR as they ended up losing the match by just one run with Head scoring 58 off 44 balls.
