IPL 2020: Kings XI Punjab Co-Owner Ness Wadia Asks BCCI To Ensure 'Better Umpiring Standards'

For the uninitiated, Kings XI Punjab lost their IPL 13 opener to Delhi Capitals on Sunday in a Super Over after the square-leg umpire decided that a second run taken by England's Jordan was not complete.

Ness Wadia (Image: Getty/AFP)

Dubai: Kings XI Punjab co-owner Ness Wadia has approached the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) asking it to ensure "better" umpiring standards and optimum use of technology in the Indian Premier League (IPL).  For the uninitiated, this comes after Kings XI Punjab lost their IPL 13 opener to Delhi Capitals in the Super Over on Sunday as during the 19th over of KXIP's innings when Mayank Agarwal and Chris Jordan were batting, the square-leg umpire decided that a second run taken by Jordan was not complete. However, replays that went viral on social media showed that Jordan's bat had crossed the line and should have been counted a run - leading a victory for the team which didn't materialise in actuality. "I would request BCCI to ensure better umpiring and to ensure henceforth that technology is used to the maximum so as to ensure fairness and transparency in a game which is known to be the best leagues in the world," Wadia said in a statement on Monday. The Punjab-based franchise feels that the 'short-run' call cost it the game. "I feel it is unfortunate that Kings XI was the subject of poor decision-making by the umpire and this cost us the game. I do hope that BCCI implements a system and process so that the other teams do not suffer the same plight as Kings XI did yesterday," Wadia said. "If technology is not there to be used for the fairness and transparency of the game and to ensure that it is equitable to all, then why use technology at all?" he questioned. The co-owner brought in references to point out how technology was used in other leagues. "It is exceedingly unfortunate that today with tremendous use of technology, we still do not use technology to ensure the total fairness and transparency in cricket game like several other leagues across the world including EPL, NBA, etc". "VAR has become something which is used across the world. The game of yesterday in question between Kings XI and Delhi had two umpiring mistakes which cost KXIP the game," he added. According to Wadia, the first decision that went against Kings XI "came in the first few overs of the match where a leg bye went for four and it was given as leg bye by the umpire but it was actually a wide ball". "The second disastrous decision came at the end of the game in the last couple of overs, when a run was deemed as not being a run even though TV replays showed that it had been a run. Unfortunately, these two decisions cost Kings XI the game," he said. Earlier, actress and co-owner of Kings XI Punjab Preity Zinta had also taken to Twitter to express her disappointment over the questionable decision. "I travelled enthusiastically during a pandemic, did six days of quarantine and five Covid tests with a smile but that one short-run hit me hard. What's the point of technology if it cannot be used? It's time BCCI introduces new rules. This cannot happen every year," she had tweeted.

I travelled enthusiastically during a pandemic,did 6 days of Quarantine & 5covid tests with a smile but that one Short Run hit me hard. What’s the point of technology if it cannot be used? It’s time @BCCI introduces new rules.This cannot happen every year. #DCvKXIP @lionsdenkxip https://t.co/uNMXFJYfpe

— Preity G Zinta (@realpreityzinta) September 21, 2020

"I've always believed in being graceful in a win or loss and in the spirit of the game but it's also important to ask for policy changes that improve the game in the future for everyone. The past has happened and it's imp to move on. So looking ahead and being positive as always," she added.