Indian Premier League (IPL) pretty much eclipses every other cricket league in the world, as it enjoys the luxury of being one of the most financially sound sports events humans get to witness in person.
Be it Hawk-Eye, ball-tracking, ultra-edge, the multi-camera setup, or the third umpire infrastructure, you name it, IPL has it. Yet there are plenty of cases where, despite all the robust and expensive technology in place, human error still manages to take centre stage.
On Thursday night, Gujarat Titans player Jason Holder became a trending topic online after he caught a stunning catch to dismiss Royal Challengers Bengaluru captain Rajat Patidar. The third umpire was convinced that Holder had full control of the ball as he dived near the boundary rope to pouch the ball. The replays of the catch that were broadcasted, however, indicated that the ball may have scraped against the grass while Holder was completing the catch.
Controversy erupted, and questions were raised about the contentious umpiring decision that left Virat Kohli furious and his captain dismissed. Unfortunately, this wasn’t an isolated incident. In fact, the ongoing season of IPL 2026 has been marred with several umpiring howlers that have left a bitter taste among passionate fans expecting superior standards from the cash-rich league.
Heinrich Klaasen Left Fuming
On the very first day of the IPL 2026, an incident left Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) batter Heinrich Klaasen displeased after the third umpire, Rohan Pandit, adjudged him caught out by Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)’s Phil Salt on the boundary.
Also Read: Why Mitchell Starc’s Lord’s Incident Resurfaced Amid Jason Holder IPL Catch Controversy
The replays showed Salt’s foot kissing the boundary cushion, and eagle-eyed viewers detected a deflection. The voices online lamented the decision. It was a six and not out, they shrieked.
🚨 MATCH FIXING IN IPL 2026 !🤯
Heinrich Klaasen said – “That was a clear boundary and everyone saw it. One blunder, one turning point, and the match was gone. Embarrassing for IPL officiating! 🤯 pic.twitter.com/iMk1O7AYjG
— lndian Sports Netwrk (@IS_Netwrk29) March 29, 2026
Finn Allen’s Hasty Decision
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) batter Finn Allen’s dismissal was scrutinised when the Kiwi star was given out rather hastily by the officials during a game against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG).
The catch was completed by Digvesh Rathi, only inches away from the boundary rope in the deep third-man region. Upon close inspection and rewatching visuals from different angles, it appeared that Rathi’s foot may have brushed the cushion. Despite it being a touch and go situation, it wasn’t reviewed in detail, and the third umpire, KN Anantha Padmanabhan, ruled Allen out.
What would have been a six was given out. To add to KKR’s misery, LSG chased down the target of 182 on the final delivery bowled on the night.
🚨 POOR UMPIRING CONTINUES IN IPL
Digvesh Rathi today claimed Finn Allen's catch at the boundary in KKR vs LSG match.
However, replays show Digvesh's feet touched the boundary cushion while holding the ball.
Finn was adjudicated out while it was a SIX pic.twitter.com/sXrfGfbQB9
— Brutal Truth (@sarkarstix) April 9, 2026
Angkrish Raghuvanshi: Obstructing The Field
Angkrish Raghuvanshi of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) was given out for obstructing the field during an encounter against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). Raghuvanshi had tapped a ball to mid-on and began scrambling for a single before being sent back by Cameron Green. A Mohammed Shami throw struck the KKR batter as he tried to reach the safety of his crease. The fielding team appealed, and third umpire Rohan Pandit ruled him out for obstructing the field.
While this incident caused considerable outcry among KKR fans, MCC intervened and backed the third umpire’s decision.
“A batter who changes direction while running, particularly one who changes direction to run on the pitch, or takes any other route that would not be the quickest way to the other end, is making a wilful act,” the MCC explained.
Rishabh Pant’s Six Called Four
Perhaps one the most frustrating episodes of the lot that puzzled fans to no end was Rishabh Pant’s maximum being called a boundary by the on-field umpires during a thrilling KKR vs LSG clash. The incident took place on the first ball of the 12th over when LSG’s Pant smacked one off KKR’s Kartik Tyagi over short fine-leg that appeared to carry for a six. The umpire called it a boundary without a double check or ringing upstairs. The match went into a Super Over and LSG lost the encounter.
Arshad Khan Oversteps
Gujarat Titans fast bowler Arshad Khan was caught overstepping on replays while delivering, something neither the on-field nor the third umpire caught. This happened against Chennai Super Kings (CSK), when CSK batter Jamie Overton was on strike as he sent Khan’s delivery for a four.
18.5 was a no ball from Arshad Khan 🤯
Overton got out on the next ball pic.twitter.com/pco0BWv7mI— DB (@Im_Kushall) April 26, 2026
Despite the replays clearly showing Khan’s delivery was illegal, the umpires did not call it a no-ball. Remarkably, Overton was dismissed on the very next delivery.
The debate around using technology effectively to benefit the sport kicked off on social media again.
