Virender Sehwag slams umpire’s controversial decision on ‘short run’

The second match of the 2020 Indian Premier League in Dubai ended on thrilling note on Sunday when Delhi Capitals won the game against Kings XI Punjab in a Super Over.

However, the match was not without controversy. Punjab needed just one run off three balls in the last over, but umpire Nitin Menon called a “short run” at the striker’s end when Kings XI Punjab batsman Chris Jordan took a couple of runs off Kagiso Rabada in the 19th over.

Former India opener Virender Sehwag called out the umpire for his decision, and sarcastically tweeted that the Man of the Match award should given to Menon, who recently entered the ICC’s Elite Panel, for his umpiring.

“I don’t agree with the man of the match choice . The umpire who gave this short run should have been man of the match. Short Run nahin tha. And that was the difference,” he tweeted.

Bollywood actor and Kings XI Punjab co-owner Preity Zinta was also fuming at the umpire’s decision. She retweeted Sehwag’s tweet and commented that the BCCI needed to introduce new rules, adding that it “cannot happen every year”.

“I travelled enthusiastically during a pandemic,did 6 days of Quarantine & 5covid tests with a smile but that one Short Run hit me hard. What’s the point of technology if it cannot be used? It’s time @BCCI introduces new rules.This cannot happen every year,” she tweeted.

Replays showed that Jordan had dragged his bat over the line at striker’s end, but the umpire’s “short run” decision was not overturned. Had it been, Punjab would have won the match with three balls to spare.

The teams were tied at 157 at the end of 20 overs and the match went into a Super Over, with Rabada winning it for the Capitals with a brilliant spell of bowling.