KKR unhappy with umpiring after Digvesh Rathi's controversial catch: It was a blunder
IPL 2026: KKR were left questioning umpiring standards after a controversial catch decision saw Finn Allen dismissed against LSG. While Rovman Powell called it a blunder, the incident has once again put consistency under the spotlight.
Kolkata Knight Riders expressed strong dissatisfaction with the umpiring following a controversial catch by Lucknow Super Giants' Digvesh Rathi that led to the dismissal of their key batter Finn Allen. The incident occurred during the IPL match on April 9.
Allen top-edged a delivery from Prince Yadav in the second over, sending the ball towards the third-man region. Digvesh Rathi caught the ball near the boundary but appeared to step on the rope while completing the catch. Despite this, third umpire KN Anantha Padmanabhan ruled Allen out after a brief review.
KKR vs LSG: HIGHLIGHTS | SCORECARD
Speaking after the match, Powell questioned the consistency of decisions, especially given how closely such calls are usually examined.
"Definitely. You know, we had to talk about that when he (Finn Allen) came off, we thought we have seen in the IPLs, the umpires have gone upstairs for less, for lesser things than that are not, not as close as that. Maybe it was a blonde nun, dear part, but we're not gonna look into that and say that is, that is what costs us 2 points tonight."
Replays showed Digvesh’s left foot making contact with the boundary rope while completing the catch, which should have rendered Allen not out. The decision sparked anger among cricket fans on social media, with many criticising the quality of umpiring in the tournament.
WHAT WAS DIGVESH-ALLEN CATCH CONTROVERSY?
The controversy centred on whether Digvesh Rathi had stepped on or beyond the boundary rope while taking the catch. According to the rules, a fielder touching the boundary with any part of the body while holding the ball renders the catch invalid. Despite video evidence suggesting contact with the rope, the third umpire upheld the dismissal.
This is not the first time umpiring decisions have come under scrutiny this IPL season. Earlier, a similar incident involving Phil Salt catching Heinrich Klaasen near the midwicket boundary led to debate over the correctness of the call. Such recurring issues have raised concerns about the consistency and accuracy of umpiring standards in the league.
The early dismissal of Finn Allen affected KKR's batting momentum in the match against LSG. Powell pointed out how such decisions influence the team's points tally and overall performance. The IPL continues to face challenges in maintaining high officiating standards amid fast-paced gameplay.
The controversies highlight the need for improved protocols to support umpires and ensure fair outcomes for all teams involved. Accurate and consistent decision-making remains critical in preserving the integrity of the tournament.
IPL 2026 | IPL Schedule | IPL Points Table | IPL Player Stats | Purple Cap | Orange Cap | IPL Videos | Cricket News | Live Score
Kolkata Knight Riders expressed strong dissatisfaction with the umpiring following a controversial catch by Lucknow Super Giants' Digvesh Rathi that led to the dismissal of their key batter Finn Allen. The incident occurred during the IPL match on April 9.
Allen top-edged a delivery from Prince Yadav in the second over, sending the ball towards the third-man region. Digvesh Rathi caught the ball near the boundary but appeared to step on the rope while completing the catch. Despite this, third umpire KN Anantha Padmanabhan ruled Allen out after a brief review.
KKR vs LSG: HIGHLIGHTS | SCORECARD
Speaking after the match, Powell questioned the consistency of decisions, especially given how closely such calls are usually examined.
"Definitely. You know, we had to talk about that when he (Finn Allen) came off, we thought we have seen in the IPLs, the umpires have gone upstairs for less, for lesser things than that are not, not as close as that. Maybe it was a blonde nun, dear part, but we're not gonna look into that and say that is, that is what costs us 2 points tonight."
Replays showed Digvesh’s left foot making contact with the boundary rope while completing the catch, which should have rendered Allen not out. The decision sparked anger among cricket fans on social media, with many criticising the quality of umpiring in the tournament.
WHAT WAS DIGVESH-ALLEN CATCH CONTROVERSY?
The controversy centred on whether Digvesh Rathi had stepped on or beyond the boundary rope while taking the catch. According to the rules, a fielder touching the boundary with any part of the body while holding the ball renders the catch invalid. Despite video evidence suggesting contact with the rope, the third umpire upheld the dismissal.
This is not the first time umpiring decisions have come under scrutiny this IPL season. Earlier, a similar incident involving Phil Salt catching Heinrich Klaasen near the midwicket boundary led to debate over the correctness of the call. Such recurring issues have raised concerns about the consistency and accuracy of umpiring standards in the league.
The early dismissal of Finn Allen affected KKR's batting momentum in the match against LSG. Powell pointed out how such decisions influence the team's points tally and overall performance. The IPL continues to face challenges in maintaining high officiating standards amid fast-paced gameplay.
The controversies highlight the need for improved protocols to support umpires and ensure fair outcomes for all teams involved. Accurate and consistent decision-making remains critical in preserving the integrity of the tournament.
IPL 2026 | IPL Schedule | IPL Points Table | IPL Player Stats | Purple Cap | Orange Cap | IPL Videos | Cricket News | Live Score
