KXIP cry foul after being robbed of run

Dubai, September 21

Kings XI Punjab have appealed against on-field umpire Nitin Menon’s controversial ‘short run’ call at a crucial phase of their IPL match against Delhi Capitals.

Before the match went into Super Over on Sunday night, TV footage showed that square leg umpire Menon had erred in calling Chris Jordan for a ‘short run’ on the third ball of the 19th over, bowled by Kagiso Rabada of Delhi Capitals. TV replays showed that Jordan’s bat was inside the crease when he completed the run.

However, to KXIP’s horror, Menon gestured that Jordan has not completed the run and only one run instead of two was awarded to Mayank Agarwal and the team. The decision was not reversed despite technological evidence that it was a wrong call. In the final over, Punjab needed 13 runs to win and Agarwal managed 12 runs on the first three balls. If that one run erroneously deducted by Menon were credited to the total, Punjab would have won with three balls to spare. But they lost two wickets on the final two balls and the match spilled into a Super Over, in which they lost.

KXIP CEO Satish Menon said the team has appealed to the match referee regarding Nitin Menon’s incorrect decision. However, the appeal is unlikely to yield any result since the rules say only a prompt change of the umpire’s decision is allowed, but “the umpire’s decision, once made, is final.” — PTI

Use third umpire: Manjrekar

Former India batsman Sanjay Manjrekar is of the view that the third umpire should have intervened after Nitin Menon made the incorrect decision. “Had the third umpire intervened and let Menon know that it wasn’t short and had Menon changed his decision, I don’t think anybody would have had any problem with that,” Manjrekar said.

KXIP co-owner and Bollywood actress Preity Zinta said that rules need to be changed. “... it’s also important to ask for policy changes that improve the game in the future for everyone. The past has happened and it’s important to move on,” she tweeted.

Former India batsman Virender Sehwag lashed out at Menon, saying: “Short Run nahin tha. And that was the difference.”

It hurts to not close out game: Agarwal

Dubai: Kings XI Punjab batsman Mayank Agarwal said it feels terrible to not close out the game after making a stupendous comeback against Delhi Capitals. Chasing 158 to win, KXIP were looking down the barrel at 55/5 but Agarwal’s blistering 89-run knock took them to 157. They needed one run off the final two balls but Marcus Stoinis’ twin strikes took the game to the Super Over, which KXIP lost. “We had a tough day,” Agarwal said. “There are a lot of positives to take. The way we came back was fantastic. The way we bowled with the new ball was terrific. It really hurts to not close out the game from the situation we were in, feels terrible,” he added. “This is just the first game. We can get things rolling again. I think to play a game like that first up was fantastic.”

RCB’s Padikkal shines on IPL debut

Dubai: Devdutt Padikkal displayed his highly-rated talent with a half-century on IPL debut before AB de Villiers provided the much-needed final flourish to take Royal Challengers Bangalore to 163/5 in their tournament opener against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Opener Padikkal, 20, scored 56 off 42 before de Villiers smashed 51 off 30. Skipper Virat Kohli departed after scoring 14 off 13. There was also an injury scare for Australian all-rounder Mitchell Marsh, who limped off the field with an ankle injury. pti

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