In a high-stakes IPL 2024 final where every frame mattered, a shocking tech failure saw the Decision Review System stripped of Hawk-Eye and UltraEdge
The IPL 2024 final was packed with nerves, nostalgia, and a bit of one-sided drama, but it certainly turned heads for an entirely different reason — a Decision Review System (DRS) that didn’t show up when it truly mattered.
In a game that celebrated the Kolkata Knight Riders as champions for the third time, an umpiring call stirred up controversy and left many wondering: how can this still happen?
Credit: ESPN
Under the bright lights of Chennai on May 26, everything was beautifully set for a grand finale. Sunrisers Hyderabad confidently chose to bat first, but their innings unravelled like a threadbare sweater.
Bowled out for just 113 — the lowest total ever in an IPL final — SRH struggled to find their rhythm. Yet amidst this challenging moment came a highlight that captivated time and surprised fans around the globe.
It was the 8.5th over of KKR’s chase, which was nearly wrapped up, with Rahmanullah Gurbaz performing brilliantly on 39 off 32 balls. Shahbaz Ahmed tossed one up, Gurbaz missed a sweep, and up went the finger. KKR reviewed. And then… silence. Not from the crowd but from the tech.
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Everyone thought we’d see the usual: Ultra Edge to rule out any bat and Hawk-Eye to predict the ball’s path. Instead, they experienced a nostalgic trip back to the pre-DRS days. There was no ball tracking or edge detection—only the third umpire watching regular slow-motion replays.
Surprisingly, the decision stood. The ball seemed marginal at best, but without any data to support or overturn the call, Gurbaz had to head back. Later, it was confirmed on the broadcast that both Hawk-Eye and Ultra Edge were unavailable at that time, though no official reason was provided for the breakdown.
Credit: Amar Ujala
The call shifted the momentum if the game had been closer. But on that unforgettable night, KKR was simply unstoppable! Despite a little hiccup, Venkatesh Iyer truly powered through with an impressive 52 off just 26 balls, smashing bowlers all over the park.
With 57 balls still remaining, KKR chased down the total at an incredible 10.85 runs per over, securing their record-breaking third IPL title and making history as only the third team to achieve this feat!
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Sunrisers Hyderabad: 113 all out in 18.3 overs
KKR: 114/2 in 10.3 overs
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Cricket, often described as a game of glorious uncertainties, experienced a unique twist that night, with technology adding to the excitement. In a tournament known for its precision, the absence of essential DRS components was quite surprising. This was a first for the IPL—a final in which the third umpire made a crucial decision without the support of Hawk-Eye or Ultra Edge.
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Fortunately, the outcome was straightforward. Yet, this incident left a rather unpleasant aftertaste and sparked an important question: Shouldn’t the world’s leading T20 league have better safeguards?
