From heartbreak to heated debates, the year's most controversial calls that left players and fans divided
Cricket, they say, is a game of thrilling uncertainty. However, in 2024, some of the most significant doubts came not from swinging yorkers or beautiful eras but from men and women in white coats. Decisions that changed games generated uproar and launched a year-long discussion about umpiring standards. Was it a human mistake, technical flaws, or something more subtle? Let’s turn back the past and recall the times when umpires made headlines.
Sanju Samson, the skipper of the Rajasthan Royals, produced a fantastic knock in IPL Match No. 56 against the Delhi Capitals. The boundaries were flowing, partnerships were forming, and optimism was alive. Mukesh Kumar was introduced in the 16th over. Samson’s pull was caught at the boundary by and Shai Hope —or was it?
Game of margins! 😮
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 7, 2024
A splendid catch that raises the 𝙃𝙊𝙋𝙀 for the Delhi Capitals 🙌
Sanju Samson departs after an excellent 86(46) 👏
Watch the match LIVE on @StarSportsIndia and @JioCinema 💻📱#TATAIPL | #DCvRR pic.twitter.com/rhLhfBmyEZ
The on-field umpires referred it upstairs to Michael Gough, who declared Hope’s catch clean. Replays, however, indicated a probable foot touch on the boundary. Samson initially walked away but returned and engaged in a heated conversation with the umpires. The scoreboard, however, remained solid. Out. Samson received a 30% match fee sanction, sparking yet another argument about whether technology genuinely helps or hampers the spirit of the game.
Virat Kohli is no stranger to controversy, but his dismissal in IPL Match No. 36 against KKR created a storm in its own right. Chasing a massive 223, Kohli was poised to take the game by storm until a lazy full toss from Harshit Rana halted him in his tracks.
Or did it?
Virat was indeed out as per the official rule book. The rule states that for a delivery to be considered a no ball, the ball must be at waist height as it crosses the stepping crease.
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) April 21, 2024
In Kohli's situation, while the ball was at waist height when he encountered it, as it crossed… pic.twitter.com/RHLHZpnnTg
Navjot Singh Sidhu said - "Virat Kohli was clearly not out. This is against Spirit of Cricket and not good for the game. You bowled beamer and given out, He's clearly not out". (Star Sports Hindi). pic.twitter.com/qUHZbLXGuD
— Tanuj Singh (@ImTanujSingh) April 21, 2024
The television umpire ruled that the ball, which seemed to fall below waist height, was legal, denying Kohli a review. Replays showed differently, and Kohli’s passionate gestures towards the umpires revealed his dissatisfaction. What’s the penalty? A heavy 50% penalty on his match fees. The argument among fans raged on: where do we draw the line between the human eye and technical errors?
On the opening day of the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia at Optus Stadium, KL Rahul’s dismissal caused a flashpoint. Batting on a rough surface, Rahul appeared to be the anchor for India until a Mitchell Starc delivery, followed by a Snicko spike, terminated his innings.
This clearly shows Rahul wasn't out, a very tough decision from the Umpire. pic.twitter.com/26SDfApcu8
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) November 22, 2024
But did the bat actually snag the ball? The spike left an opportunity for uncertainty, but the third umpire ruled Rahul out. Former cricketers yelled, supporters argued, and Rahul could only walk away, wondering what may have been.
On a drama-filled night, India’s Women’s T20 World Cup match against New Zealand had its own umpiring tempest. Amelia Kerr, who appeared to have been run out, was returned to the crease after the fourth umpire ruled the ball dead.
Chaos ensued. Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur and her teammates fought vehemently, disputing the judgement. In the next over, Kerr’s batting order was disrupted, further fuelling the flames and causing further turmoil. Despite dismissing Kerr shortly after, the damage had been done. The issue lingered: Had the regulations been twisted or just misinterpreted?
Tight finishes are exciting—until a contentious decision changes the outcome. Bangladesh, chasing a small score against South Africa in the T20 World Cup, were undone by a “dead ball” decision.
Mahmudullah was initially given out, but the third umpire overturned the decision. Although the ball reached the boundary, Bangladesh did not receive any runs due to the 2024 T20 World Cup playing conditions, which proved crucial in the end.
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) June 10, 2024
Read more: https://t.co/UnCV6nL0mJ pic.twitter.com/f2S0YnHgyJ
Mahmadullah’s LBW review revealed a deflection that rolled to the boundary, but the umpire’s early decision cost them four crucial runs. Bangladesh narrowly lost the match. Towhid Hridoy’s post-match displeasure was succinct: “Those four runs could have changed everything.”