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Last ball controversies in DCvsMI contest

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In the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2025 match between Delhi Capitals (DC) and Mumbai Indians (MI) on February 15, the last ball of the game was not just the climax but also the center of controversy, adding an extra layer of drama to an already gripping encounter.

The Last Ball Scenario:

With Delhi Capitals needing two runs off the final delivery to clinch the match, the pressure was immense. Arundhati Reddy was on strike, facing Saika Ishaque of Mumbai Indians. The ball was delivered, and Reddy managed to take a quick single, diving to make her ground. The decision hung in the balance as the third umpire was called to review whether Reddy had made her ground before the stumps were dislodged.

Controversial Decision:

The third umpire’s decision to declare Reddy ‘Not Out’ was met with mixed reactions. Several aspects contributed to the controversy:

  • Close Call: The decision was razor-thin, with many believing it was a 50-50 call. The replays shown on the screen appeared inconclusive, leading to debates about whether Reddy’s bat was indeed grounded before the bails were dislodged.
  • Frame of Reference: There was contention over which frame the third umpire used to make the decision. Some fans and analysts on social media platforms, argued that the wrong frame was considered, suggesting that a frame-by-frame analysis might have shown Reddy out.
  • Stump Light Issue: Posts on Social Media highlighted discrepancies with the stump lights, which are supposed to indicate if the bails were off before the batter made his or her ground. Some users questioned whether the technology was malfunctioning or if the umpire ignored the light’s signal.
  • Run Out Decisions: This match saw multiple close run-out calls, all of which seemed to go in DC’s favor. This pattern of decisions led to accusations of bias or at least a series of unfortunate calls for MI, particularly emphasized in the context of the game’s outcome being decided by one run.

Fan and Expert Reactions:

  • On social media, the debate was fierce. Fans of both teams expressed their views, with some questioning the umpiring standards in the WPL, while others defended the decisions based on the angles and technology available to the umpires.
  • Cricket analysts, while acknowledging the difficulty of such close calls, suggested that perhaps more consistent or clearer protocols for reviewing such decisions should be in place to mitigate these controversies.
The outcome of the match, where DC clinched victory by two wickets, was heavily influenced by the decision on the last ball. While the game was a testament to the competitive spirit of WPL, the controversies around the umpiring decisions highlighted the need for perhaps better or more transparent use of technology in cricket to ensure fairness, especially in matches that come down to the wire.

This incident will likely fuel discussions on the reliability of decision-making tools and the training of umpires in handling split-second, match-deciding moments in future WPL games.
Click here for complete schedule for WPL 2025

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