The IPL 2024 match between Rajasthan Royals and Delhi Capitals on Tuesday saw a massive controversy over Shai Hope’s catch to dismiss Sanju Samson. Samson, who was batting on 86, looked in fine form as he slammed DC pacer Mukesh Kumar straight down the ground. However, Hope was positioned at long-on and although he completed the catch, it looked like he was too close to the boundary ropes. The third umpire ruled in DC’s favour prompting disbelief from the RR camp and Sanju ended up having a heated discussion with the umpires. Former India batter Navjot Singh Sidhu claimed that the fielder touched the boundary rope twice during the catch and even came up with a ‘fly in the milk’ analogy to explain the complete situation.
“The decision that changed the game was Sanju Samson’s dismissal. There could be differences of opinion, but if you look at the side-on angle, it touches the boundary twice. It was pretty clear. Either you don’t use technology, or if you’re using it and the technology is making a mistake, it’s like there’s a fly in milk, and someone asks you to drink it,” Sidhu said on Star Sports.
“It touched the boundary line twice. And after this, if someone says that it’s out… see, I’m a neutral person, so I’ve seen it, it’s not out. That’s why I also kept saying it about Kohli (on his dismissal against KKR, which triggered controversy over potential no-ball). Whatever may be the rule, you can see it from the naked eye; some evidence is very strong not to believe. It’s like finding a trout in a glass of milk. Umpire didn’t do it on purpose, no one is at fault. It’s part of the game. That changed the game,” he added.
Samson’s wicket proved crucial as DC kept their IPL 2024 playoff dreams alive with a crucial win over RR.
