IPL 2020: ICC’s Elite Panel Umpire Nitin Menon Poor Error Affects Result of Delhi Capitals vs Kings XI Punjab Match in Dubai

In the third ball of the penultimate over during Kings XI's chase, Mayank completed two runs but the square leg umpire called it a run short against Jordan.

If the TV footage and visuals are to be believed – Kings XI Punjab was probably robbed of a win against Delhi Capitals courtesy a contentious umpiring call in the 13th edition of the Indian Premier League on Sunday. ICC’s new Elite Panel entrant Nitin Menon’s howler may have cost Kings XI its first IPL win in the new season at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. The result of the match was later decided through Super Over.

While both teams were tied at 157 for 8, it was Kagiso Rabada, who bowled a brilliant Super Over to clinch it for Capitals. Before the match went into Super Over, TV footage showed that square leg umpire Menon had called a ‘run short’ when Chris Jordan took a couple of runs off Rabada in the 19th over while playing towards the long-on area.

The TV replays showed that Jordan legally completed the first run and the bat was inside the crease. However, to KXIP’s horror, Jordan was declared a ‘short run’ which means he didn’t enter his bat inside the crease which wasn’t the case.

If that run would have been allowed, it would have meant that KXIP would have won the match inside the 20 overs.

Former India captain Virender Sehwag and his opening partner Aakash Chopra lashed out at Menon. “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,” Sehwag tweeted.

Chopra and former Delhi Daredevils coach Trent Woodhill also criticized the umpiring and that technology wasn’t used.

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. #DCvKXIP pic.twitter.com/7u7KKJXCLb

Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) September 20, 2020

“One short that wasn’t. Technology must take over in these cases…..but that’s possible if only the third umpire spotted it in time. What if #KXIP don’t make it to the final four by 2 points?? Tight,” Chopra wondered aloud.