IPL 2017: Poor umpiring continues as Robin Uthappa benefits in Kolkata

Kolkata, April 15: The standard of umpiring in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2017 yet again came under the spotlight, this time during Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) match. (Scorecard)

On Saturday (April 15), SRH captain David Warner won the toss and chose to bowl at Eden Gardens. SRH were given a good start by paceman Bhuvneshwar Kumar as he clean bowled KKR opener Sunil Narine. (Did Warner cheat?)

Umpire Anil Dandekar (centre) failed to spot the edge from Robin's bat. Photo courtesy: BCCI

SRH should have had two wickets in two balls in the 3rd over but for Indian umpire Anil Dandekar. As Narine (6) headed back to the pavilion, Robin Uthappa walked in to face Bhuvneshwar.

The first ball which Uthappa played was edged to wicketkeeper Naman Ojha but despite appeals from SRH fielders and the bowler, the umpire gave it a not out. It was a shocking decision. Uthappa clearly edged the ball and turned back to see the ball being nestled in the gloves of Ojha. He took advantage of this reprieve to score a 39-ball 68.

SRH fielders can't believe that Robin was given not out. Photo courtesy: BCCI

Later, during the innings break, former Australian paceman and TV commentator Brett Lee asked Uthappa about the luck factor and the batsman said he was happy that the "rub of the green" went his way.

Umpiring has been below-par in the 10th edition of the IPL so far. Mumbai Indians (MI) captain Rohit Sharma was given out LBW wrongly and as he expressed his disappointment, he was later reprimanded by the match referee.

During MI and SRH match, umpires failed to stop Warner from facing two consecutive balls, one off the last ball and the first from the next over.

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