Mumbai Indians continued their resurgence in IPL 2024 with a hard-fought 9-run victory over the Punjab Kings on Thursday. However, the match was overshadowed by a number of umpiring selections that sparked allegations of bias in direction of the five-time champions. After successful the toss, Punjab Kings opted to subject first on the picturesque Mullanpur Cricket Stadium. Despite shedding Ishan Kishan early, strong knocks from Suryakumar Yadav (78), Rohit Sharma (36) and Tilak Varma (34*) propelled Mumbai to an imposing 192/7. In reply, PBKS have been left reeling at 14/4 earlier than Shashank Singh (41) and Ashutosh Sharma (61) launched a valiant fightback. But finally, their 183/9 fell simply quick as Jasprit Bumrah (3/21) and the MI bowling assault held their nerve.
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_ Toss Update _
Punjab Kings win the toss and elect to bowl towards Mumbai Indians.
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Umpiring Controversies Galore
While MI confirmed champions’ poise, the match was marred by a number of umpiring calls that favored the guests and sparked livid debates on social media.
Coin Toss Controversy Reignited
Weeks after the coin toss controversy of their match towards RCB, cameras zoomed in to seize the coin touchdown throughout the toss – prone to quell any suspicions after claims of impropriety final time.
Dubious Wide Calls
A seemingly reliable extensive name towards Arshdeep Singh within the fifteenth over was overturned after MI reviewed, with the third umpire deeming it a authorized supply regardless of it passing nicely extensive of Tim David’s bat. However, it was the very subsequent supply that actually set tongues wagging. Suryakumar hammered the ball by covers, just for Nitin Menon to sign a large a lot to PBKS’s disbelief – with replays suggesting the ball was nicely inside David’s attain. Â
Caught Behind Controversy
The Pakistan-born duo of Shashank and Ashutosh had revived PBKS’s hopes with a superb 89-run stand. But controversy struck when Menon dominated Ashutosh out caught behind within the seventeenth over regardless of him showing to overlook the ball. Though PBKS reviewed, Menon caught to his name with the hotspot showing inconclusive, resulting in livid protests from the PBKS camp citing bias.
Social Media Erupts
Fans have been break up on the impartiality of the umpiring, with #UmpiresBias and #MIChampions trending on Twitter as allegations of favoring the Mumbai franchise surfaced. “Once again, another shameful display of umpiring in favor of MI. From dodgy wides to dubious caught behinds – is the IPL scripted for them to win?” fumed one fan. Others cited previous situations just like the notorious 2019 no-ball controversy and Faizu Nazar’s controversial extensive name within the 2008 IPL closing as proof of long-standing bias. However, MI supporters countered that umpiring errors have been merely a part of the sport, including: “Bad umpiring is lapped up when it’s against MI but conveniently ignored when they benefit. #Halademocracy.” As umpiring requirements proceed being scrutinized, the controversy supplied an unsavory backdrop to a traditional IPL encounter – as soon as once more shining an uncomfortable highlight on the sport’s officiating.