Royal Challengers Bengaluru's hopes of reaching the IPL playoffs were dashed by a devastating 1-run defeat at the hands of Kolkata Knight Riders. It was their seventh defeat in eight matches and even if they won all their remaining matches, RCB would not be able to secure a play-off spot. Despite chasing down 223 runs, RCB fell just short after a promising start. Rajat Patidar (52) and Will Jacks (55) had propelled the team forward with a partnership of more than 100, but a massive collapse saw RCB fall from 137 for 2 to 155 for 6.
Needing 21 runs from the final over, Karn Sharma and Mohammed Siraj came to the crease to face Mitchell Starc. Sharma created some excitement by hitting three consecutive sixes off Starc's first four deliveries. But Sharma fell to the penultimate ball. With one ball remaining and three runs needed, Lockie Ferguson was run out.
The video has gone viral showing the umpiring error that may have cost RCB the match. In the 17th over, RCB opener Suyash Prabhudessai pulled Varun Chakaravarthy's delivery for what appeared to be a six, with the ball seemingly hitting the boundary ropes. However, RCB were denied two runs when the on-field umpires called it a four without consulting the third umpire. Angry RCB fans claim that the error changed the outcome of a close match, highlighting how a single questionable call can decide the outcome of cricket.
It was a clear six but the shameless & biased umpiring against RCB took it away match from us .#RCBvsKKR pic.twitter.com/XlzDRPy09c
— Ayush (@vkkings007) April 21, 2024
The dismissal of Virat Kohli also sparked controversy earlier in the match. Kohli's delivery was a high full toss and Harshit Rana was the lbw man. Believing the ball to be above waist height, Kohli decided to challenge the decision. The third umpire upheld the decision, leaving Kohli furious and sparking outrage on social media, as Kohli was out of his crease.
Phil Salt (48 runs) and Shreyas Iyer (50 runs) helped KKR post an impressive total of 222-6 in their 20 overs. It was KKR's fifth win from seven matches and moved them up to second on the IPL table with 10 points.