Opting to field first after winning the toss proved to be a strategic move for the Mumbai Indians, especially during the crucial powerplay. Jasprit Bumrah and Akash Madhwal quickly made their mark by dismissing Virat Kohli and Will Jacks, putting the Royal Challengers Bangalore on the back foot early on.
However, Faf du Plessis and Rajat Patidar provided some stability for the visiting team, crafting an impressive 82-run partnership. Despite their efforts, the Royal Challengers Bangalore faced persistent challenges as they lost both Patidar and Glenn Maxwell during the middle overs, leaving the score at 149/4 by the 16th over.
The pivotal moment arrived in the 17th over when the on-field umpire, Nitin Menon, sought assistance from the third umpire after a disputed wicket claim by the Mumbai fielders.
On the second delivery of the 17th over, Jasprit Bumrah bowled a full-length delivery outside off stump. The batsman, attempting a down-the-ground shot, missed the ball completely, and Mumbai’s wicketkeeper Ishan Kishan gathered the ball cleanly.
Both Kishan and Bumrah appealed vigorously, but with no reviews left for the home side, captain Hardik Pandya was unable to challenge the decision. In a surprising turn of events, Menon decided to check for a possible edge and referred the decision to the TV umpire, Virender Sharma.
Despite the absence of a formal review, UltraEdge technology confirmed that there was no contact between bat and ball, with the sound heard attributed to the bat hitting the ground. However, the decision to involve the third umpire without a legitimate DRS review raised concerns, suggesting potential bias in favor of the Mumbai Indians.
— Debi Cha (@ChaDebi95756) April 11, 2024
The Twitter community voiced confusion and criticism over Menon’s decision, questioning its fairness and the perceived advantage given to the Mumbai Indians.
