Sangakkara, Harbhajan downplay umpiring error – Cricket News Update
An umpiring error during the Deccan Chargers vs http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Mumbai-c820 Indians clash on April 9 at Visakhapatnam threatened to break out into controversy and mar an otherwise thrilling match, but the skippers from both teams have downplayed the incident, claiming that it
has been resolved.
The issue was raised in the 13th over of the Deccan Chargers’ innings, with skipper Sangakkara and on strike. A delivery by http://www.senore.com/Cricket/MM-Patel-c1987 went on to hit the off-stump, dislodging the bails, after which the ball glanced off Mumbai wicketkeeper Dinesh
Karthik and hit the stumps for a second time.
The field umpires declared the Chargers’ captain safe, convinced that the ball had hit the wickets after bouncing off Karthik’s pads. However, Harbhajan was convinced it had hit the off-stump first, and joined by Munaf Patel, he became involved in a heated
argument with the umpires.
Play was stopped for nearly five minutes as the Mumbai Indians captain argued in an aggressive manner, demanding to know why the matter had not been referred to the third umpire. The on-field officials finally relented, and the matter was referred to the
TV umpire, who gave Sangakkara out.
Any chances of the incident escalating into something more serious were denied by the captains of both sides.
“We were very sure that the ball had hit the off-stump first. Our point was that if they (umpires) were not sure they should refer the decision to the third umpire early before ruling the batsman not out," said Harbhajan.
"We all want to play a fair game and eventually it was referred to the third umpire and the correct decision was taken finally. So it is not an issue now," he added.
Sangakkara was similarly dismissive, claiming that the Deccan Chargers agreed with the final decision.
“We have moved on. It is closed now. I have checked with my wicketkeeper (http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Parthiv-Patel-c2159). The correct decision was taken at the end,” Sangakkara said.
Other than the unpleasant incident, the match proved to be a thrilling one. Chasing 138, with 5 runs needed off the last two balls, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/RG-Sharma-c2309 smashed a 6 off the last delivery, leading the Mumbai Indians to a 5-wicket win.
Tags: