Top 5 controversial umpiring decisions in 2024

Cricket umpiring is one of the toughest jobs in the world and the match officials are under the microscope at all times. Just like the players, one mistake from the ‘Two wise men’ of the game can see questions being asked about their officiating. Even the fans turn on the umpires and call them out for their decision-making. 

The game of Cricket in 2024 has seen yet another year with the match officials under the constant microscopic lens. One massive example of amazing umpiring came during the finals of the T20 World Cup between India and South Africa. David Miller tried to smash a full toss from Hardik Pandya for a six only for Suryakumar Yadav to intervene and take a stunning catch. 

After numerous replays, the decision came out in favour of the fielding team. That catch changed the game as India took the title home by 7 runs to end their long wait for the ICC title. Not all umpiring decisions were as good with a few match officials coming under fire from the players, experts, and fans for their questionable calls. 

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Here are the five most controversial umpiring decisions in 2024:

5. Controversial Deadball decision in Vitality Blast 2024

ViratThe match between Worcestershire and Leicestershire saw controversy erupt due to a bad umpiring decision. Brett Oliveira was facing Wiaan Mulder when the batter saw the ball hit his hips and go down to the boundary for four runs. The umpires though called the delivery dead ball stating that the batter hadn’t played a shot to the ball.

This was one of the worst cricket umpiring blunders of 2024 as the batter stated he had tried to play a shot. Even the commentators and fans were confused by the decision made by the umpire. 

4. Virat Kohli falls to controversial call during game against KKR

Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Kolkata Knight Riders have always had one of the most intriguing rivalries in IPL history. The game between the two sides played at the Eden Gardens stadium saw the high-scoring encounter go to the wire. KKR batted first and scored 222 runs with 50 by skipper Shreyas Iyer and some useful contributions from the lower order.

Virat Kohli was batting on 18 when Harshit Rana bowled a questionable full toss that ended up in a return catch to the bowler. Kohli was given out not before the former RCB skipper was seen visibly irate with the umpiring call as the no-ball controversy 2024 rumbled onto social media and became the most debated topic. 

3. Rishabh Pant’s controversial dismissal during the Mumbai Test 

New Zealand whitewashed India during their tour as they won the third and final game in Mumbai. Rishabh Pant was batting on 64 keeping India in the hunt of the small total of 147 they needed to win. This is where a massive umpiring blunder happened as Pant was given out controversially. 

Ajaz Patel was bowling to Pant in the fourth ball of the 22nd over as the Indian wicketkeeper tried to hit the bowler over the top. Kiwi fielders appealed for a caught behind as Pant argued his case saying that the bat had hit the pads. In the end, the decisions went in favour of the visitors as Pant made his way back to the hut. 

2. KL Rahul left stunned during Perth Test with dubious call

In the first match of the Border Gavaskar series which was played in Perth, KL Rahul got a dubious call. Mitchell Starc went up in appeal against Rahul with Alex Carey claiming the catch. The third umpire was quick to rule the decision in favor of Australia but the batter wasn’t happy.

Replays suggested that the call could have gone in favour of Rahul with the bat too close to the pads which could have been the reason for the noise. Several commentators questioned the call as Rahul was out for 26 runs. 

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1. Yashasvi Jaiswal given out under questionable circumstance 

In the final ever Test of 2024, Australia beat India by 184 runs to win the MCG Test match. Pat Cummins bowled a short ball down the leg side that Yashasvi Jaiswal tried to pull. The left-handed batter was batting on 84 and was the last hope for India to save the game.

Alex Carey and Pat Cummins in unison went up for the appeal and what followed was one of the most controversial umpiring decisions of 2024. There was no edge on the snicko-meter but the third umpire used the zoom-in feature to rule the batter out. Jaiswal wasn’t happy with the call as he stormed back to the hut in anger and the decision was slammed by many experts.