IPL 2020: MS Dhoni protesting umpire Paul Reiffel’s wide call sparks controversy
Chennai Super Kings secured a much-needed victory against Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on 13th October. After posting 167/6 in their 20 overs, the Chennai side restricted the Orange Army to a score of 147 and earned a 20-run victory. While it was a clinical performance from the Men in Yellow, there was one incident which caused a furore on social media.
This incident occurred in the penultimate over of Hyderabad’s chase. The 19th over was bowled by the medium-pacer Shardul Thakur. After delivering a wide on the second ball of the over, he followed the same route again. The ball was clearly outside the guideline set for a wide and the umpire was just about to stretch his arm to signal a wide. MS Dhoni was angry at the decision. The captain thought that the batsman was moving and hence the wide should not be called. Umpire Paul Reiffel retracted his decision midway and allowed the delivery to go through. Rashid was dismissed hit wicket in the same over and Sunrisers soon conceded the defeat.
Cricket lovers on Twitter flocked to call out Dhoni’s bullying tactics and poured their outrage from their social media accounts.
The wide Paul Reifell was about to give, but didn’t after Shardul Thakur and MS Dhoni raised objections. pic.twitter.com/llij5VpQyt
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) October 13, 2020
What is with Ms Dhoni in Yellow Jersey & Bullying Umpire ?
— BS ?? (@Ahmadbilal111) October 13, 2020
It is the power of dhoni. He can do whatever he want in the field. He has the superpower whereby he can change the umpire’s decision. Umpires will have to whatever he wants. Still dhoni fans will be call honest dhoni NOW WHERE IS THE RULES @BCCI @msdhoni @SGanguly99 @IPL pic.twitter.com/hc1QYgZXta
— Shaurya Prakash Singh (@ShauryaPrakas13) October 13, 2020
Last IPL when MS Dhoni was angry with an umpire, he walked on the field from the dugout. This time, with Dhoni already on the field, Paul Reiffel must have thought he might go one… ahem… ‘step’ further this IPL. So wide becomes un-wide. #SRHvCSK
— Saurabh Somani (@saurabh_42) October 13, 2020
