The IPL 2025 season continues to provide its fair share of drama and controversies, and one such incident took place during the recent Mumbai Indians (MI) vs Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) match. A controversial no-ball decision left fans puzzled, and even former Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) spinner Varun Chakravarthy voiced his disagreement with the decision.
The Controversial Incident
The controversial moment occurred in the seventh over of the MI run-chase, when Ryan Rickelton was initially given out while facing SRH spinner Zeeshan Ansari. However, the third umpire intervened, overturning the decision and calling Rickelton back to the crease. The reason behind the reversal was a technical error by SRH wicketkeeper Heinrich Klaasen, who had his gloves marginally ahead of the stumps when the bowler delivered the ball.
This led to a no-ball being called, and Rickelton, who was at 21 runs off 18 balls at the time, was allowed to continue his innings. The incident sparked debate over whether the correct decision had been made.
Chakravarthy’s Opinion on the Incident
Varun Chakravarthy, a prominent IPL player and spinner for KKR, took to social media platform X to express his thoughts on the no-ball controversy. He questioned the decision, arguing that it should have been considered a dead ball rather than a no-ball.
He wrote, “If the keeper’s gloves come in front of the stumps, it should be a dead ball and a warning to the keeper so that he doesn’t do that again!!! Not a no-ball and a free hit!! What did the bowler do?” Chakravarthy’s comments generated much discussion, with fans and experts weighing in on the issue.
Rickelton’s Impact on MI’s Victory
Although Rickelton’s controversial non-dismissal raised eyebrows, it turned out to be a key moment in the match. After being reprieved, he went on to score 31 runs off 23 balls in a low-scoring chase, helping MI reach the target of 163 runs. MI won the match by four wickets, further adding to the excitement of the contest.
This victory marked MI’s second win in a row, reviving their campaign after a slow start to the season. The team, led by Rohit Sharma, looked to have found some form, with standout performances from Tilak Varma (21*) and Jasprit Bumrah, who returned from injury to take a wicket and concede just 21 runs in four overs.
What Fans Are Saying
The no-ball incident, along with Chakravarthy’s comments, has sparked a wider debate about umpiring decisions in the IPL. Many fans are questioning the fairness and consistency of certain calls, especially those involving technicalities like the wicketkeeper’s positioning.
Despite the controversy, Mumbai Indians’ second consecutive win has brought some optimism to their IPL 2025 campaign. With key players returning to form, MI will be eager to continue their push up the points table.
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