The match between Kolkata Knight Riders and Punjab Kings on Friday became the talk of the town for quite a few reasons. First, the comeback by the PBKS bowlers, then the opening partnership between Mayank Agarwal and KL Rahul. However, the biggest reason that people are talking about the match is the debatable decision by the third umpire that played an important role in KKR’s loss.

The second leg of the Indian Premier League has seen a lot of umpiring blunders and Friday night witnessed the biggest shocker of them all when KL Rahul was given Not Out following a debatable decision by the third umpire. The on-air commentators and even the fans thought that KL Rahul should have been shown the way to the pavilion, however, the third umpire didn’t think so.

Debatable Decision by Third Umpire

The debatable decision by the third umpire came in the penultimate over of the game when PBKS needed 11 runs off 9 deliveries. Punjab Kings have a reputation for making things difficult for themselves and the same was the case against KKR. The PBKS skipper played a hook shot off Shivam Mavi and Rahul Tripathi came charging in the deep, completing a brilliant forward diving catch.

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The KKR player started celebrating as he thought he completed a clean catch, but the decision was sent upstairs by the on-field umpires. This was a big moment in the match because the result of the match relied on this heavily. As it turned out, a debatable decision by the third umpire followed, which gave life to KL Rahul and ultimately PBKS winning the match, earning two crucial points.

This win has kept Punjab’s hopes alive, but this also means that KKR now can’t go beyond 14 points. The result in the favour of the Punjab Kings meant that the Delhi Capitals are through to the playoffs. Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Capitals have qualified for playoffs and the fight for the remaining two spots has got even more intense now.