Virat Kohli was unhappy as were the viewers, after a controversial umpiring decision caused huge drama during an IPL match between Gujarat Titans and Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Ahmedabad on Thursday
night. The contentious moment occurred during the first innings when RCB skipper Rajat Patidar was on strike, and he top-edged a pull shot. Jason Holder covered some ground at deep backward square and judged the catch to perfection as he put his body on the line near the boundary ropes to grab a neat catch. It was only when the replays were shown that it appeared that the West Indian cricketer may have scraped the ball on the ground during his dive.
Patidar had to leave as the officials were convinced that Holder had caught the night sky catch cleanly. But far away from the field, the controversial catch taken at the Narendra Modi Stadium reminded fans of a similar incident that involved Mitchell Starc.
Controversy At The Lord’s
The second Test match played between England and Australia was marred by controversy in 2023, moments before the fourth day’s play, when Mitchell Starc completed a decent catch to dismiss English batter Ben Duckett’s mistimed upper cut. Starc pouched the ball at the fine leg region, giving Australia their fifth wicket. Australians celebrated the catch. It was an ideal end to the day. But their celebrations were cut short when on-field umpire Marais Erasmus asked Duckett to stay.
Duckett played a ramp shot towards the left of fine leg when Strac ran in and completed the catch. The tall bowler, however, ended up touching the ground with the palmed ball licking the grass during the dive motion.
Well then…
What do we think of this one? 👀
Cleary grounded 😉 #EnglandCricket | #Ashes pic.twitter.com/bPHQbw81dl
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 1, 2023
Duckett was a relieved man. Australians weren’t so happy with the outcome. MCC intervened and reminded cricket fans, especially those in Australia, as to why it wasn’t considered a catch and why the decision was overturned.
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“Law 33.3 clearly states that a catch is only completed when the fielder has ‘complete control over the ball and his/her movement’,” MCC wrote on X. “The ball cannot touch the ground before then. In this particular incident, Mitchell Starc, was still sliding as the ball rubbed the ground, therefore he was not in control of his movement.”
So Was Jason Holder In Control Of Movement?
If Starc’s grab was judged not out, why was Holder’s grab considered out? That was the question posed by unhappy fans on social media that rewatched the incident and maintained that the ball had contact with the ground. The full footage of the catch was not reviewed by the third umpire, and it appeared that the officials considered Holder to be in control of movement even if he had “grassed” the ball after grabbing it cleanly.
IPL Fans, Former Cricketers, Online Pundits Disagree
Drama ensued online on X as voices of disapproval emerged in unison. That the ball had made some contact with the ground was agreed upon.
Not out!
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) April 30, 2026
Rajat Patidar WASN’T OUT :
– Jason Holder took the catch while still in the air.
– Control didn’t look clean.
– Then ball touched the ground.
– For a “clean catch,” control has to be clear.
– Umpires rushed for decision instead of being 100% sure. This was clearly blind… pic.twitter.com/5a9Bg1cIBV— Vipin Tiwari (@Vipintiwari952) April 30, 2026
The online protests were in vain.
Gujarat Titans had the last laugh, though. Chasing RCB’s below-par target of 155, GT’s run chase was led by captain Shubman Gill who hammered 43 in just 18 deliveries, giving his side the kind of start they had wished for. Jos Buttler played his part with a 19-ball 39. In the end, the home team paced to the score with four wickets and 25 deliveries left. It was a crucial win for the Gill side, who are now placed bang in the middle of the points table with 10 points to their tally in 9 games. As for RCB, the loss on Thursday did not affect their #2 standing, as the Patidar-led side marches strongly towards the playoffs with 12 points from 9 matches.
