Every IPL season delivers controversial calls, but some umpiring mistakes are so bad that fans still talk about them years later.
The wildest one? The 2019 CSK vs RR match, where even MS Dhoni lost his cool and got fined after confronting the umpires.
Despite DRS and replays, shocking errors still happen. So let’s revisit the most outrageous umpiring blunders in IPL history — some frustrating, some downright hilarious 😅
Most Common Reasons for Controversial Decisions in the IPL
In cricket, an umpire’s call can easily shift the outcome of a match — sometimes even sparking arguments between players and umpires!
Sometimes, just one No Ball decision can decide who wins or loses. It’s hard not to fight over that. Let’s break down the most common reasons for controversial calls in the cricket world:
- Waist-high No Ball
According to the rules, if a bowler throws a full toss above the batter’s waist, it should be called a No Ball. But sometimes umpires miss it, and the batter gets unfairly dismissed. Total facepalm moment. - Overstepping the crease (Front Foot No Ball)
If a bowler’s front foot crosses the crease during delivery, it should be ruled a No Ball. Yet sometimes, the ump doesn’t notice — and even the third umpire with tech support (like DRS) doesn’t bother correcting it. Like, why even have the tech? - Wrong LBW (Leg Before Wicket) calls
When a batter is struck on the leg, it’s up to the umpire to decide if it counts as LBW. But there are times when Hawk-Eye clearly shows the ball would’ve missed the stumps — and the umpire still won’t overturn the decision. - Controversial catches behind the stumps
If the bat slightly edges the ball and the wicketkeeper appeals, it usually depends on DRS — especially UltraEdge — to confirm the nick. But when the tech glitches or doesn’t pick it up, the batter ends up paying the price. So unlucky. - Umpire bias
Some calls just feel suspiciously one-sided. It might not be on purpose — maybe the ump is too familiar with a team, under pressure, or just mentally blanked during a big match. But for fans? It’s still super annoying.
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Worst Umpiring Decisions in IPL History – Prepare to Get Mad
- RCB vs KKR. A KKR delivery clearly went above waist height — but the umpire didn’t call it a No Ball.
- CSK vs RR. RR bowled what was originally called a No Ball, but the decision got reversed and ruled as a legal delivery.
- DC vs RR. DC faced an obvious No Ball, but the umpire refused to even allow DRS to review the call.
- IN vs Pakistan. An Indian batter was clearly hit on the toe, but the umpire still gave him OUT — almost costing India the match!
- PBKS vs RCB. It was a clear edge off the bat, but the ump said Not Out. PBKS totally got screwed.
- SRH vs LSG. SRH, it was clearly a waist-high ball, originally called a No Ball, but then the decision was overturned.
2024: Kohli Given Out on a Waist-High Full Toss – RCB Lost by Just 1 Run!
On April 21st, 2024 — during Match 36 of the IPL — RCB took on KKR. Early in the game, Virat Kohli faced his 7th delivery when Harshit Rana bowled a super obvious waist-high slow ball. Kohli went for the shot and got caught out.
Everyone expected it to be called a No Ball — because full tosses above the waist must be called illegal. But guess what? The umpire didn’t even raise his hand.
To make it worse, the third umpire reviewed it and still declared Kohli OUT. Like… seriously?
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2019: Dhoni Storms Onto the Field! Umpire’s Reversal Nearly Cost CSK the Match
In the 2019 IPL, during a match between CSK and RR, CSK needed 18 runs in the final over to win.
Ben Stokes bowled a clear waist-high full toss, and umpire Ulhas Gandhe immediately raised his hand to signal a No Ball — but just a second later, the other umpire, Bruce Oxenford, reversed the call and ruled the ball legal.
The scene went wild. And the most shocking part? MS Dhoni, who had already been dismissed, stormed out of the dugout and confronted the umpires on the field! The controversial call nearly cost CSK the game.
This was also the first and only time Dhoni has ever been fined — he had to pay 50% of his match fee for that incident.
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2022: DC Gets Robbed – Umpire Ignored Clear No Ball and Refused DRS
In the 2022 IPL, during a match between DC and RR, DC needed 36 runs in the final over to pull off a comeback.
Rovman Powell was on fire, smashing three consecutive sixes and giving DC real hope — until the third ball, which was clearly a waist-high full toss. That ball was clearly a No Ball, no doubt about it. But the umpire said it was fine. And when DC asked for a DRS review? The ump just said no. Seriously?
Captain Rishabh Pant was furious and even signaled his players to leave the field in protest. At the same time, assistant coach Pravin Amre stormed onto the pitch to confront the umpire — but the call stayed unchanged.”
In the end, Pant and Amre were both fined 100% of their match fees, and Amre was handed a one-match ban.
2011 India vs Pakistan World Cup — DRS Saves the Day and Secures India’s Win
In the 2011 World Cup semi-final between India and Pakistan, a controversial LBW decision involving Sachin Tendulkar became the highlight of the match.
In the 11th over, Saeed Ajmal delivered a tricky off-spinner that struck Tendulkar right on the pads. The Pakistani team erupted, appealing loudly for LBW — and umpire Ian Gould didn’t hesitate. He gave Tendulkar OUT on the spot.
At the time, Tendulkar was the core of India’s batting lineup. If he had been dismissed there, India’s chances of winning would’ve dropped below 50%.
Luckily, Tendulkar immediately opted for DRS. Third umpire Billy Bowden reviewed the ball using Hawk-Eye, and it showed the delivery was angling down leg side — nowhere near the stumps. The decision was overturned, and Tendulkar was given Not Out in a huge moment of relief!
2021: Umpire Ignores DRS Evidence, Gives RCB a Free Pass!
On April 30, 2021, during Match 26 of the IPL, PBKS faced off against RCB. PBKS bowler Riley Meredith delivered an off-cutter that appeared to brush RCB batter Devdutt Padikkal’s bat before being caught cleanly by the keeper.
The entire PBKS team instantly appealed for Caught Behind — but the on-field umpire shook his head and ruled it Not Out.
PBKS captain KL Rahul wasn’t having it. He immediately went for DRS, hoping UltraEdge would bring justice.
And guess what? UltraEdge clearly showed a spike as the ball passed the bat — solid proof that there was contact. But the third umpire just flat-out ignored it and still gave Not Out!
Like… is DRS just for show? Or is the umpire just playing favorites with RCB? Because honestly, PBKS were treated like they didn’t even matter. This match was a prime example of how IPL umpires sometimes have way too much unchecked power.
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2023: Controversial No Ball Reversal Helps LSG Edge Past SRH by Just 3 Runs
In the 2023 IPL clash between SRH and LSG, LSG bowler Avesh Khan delivered a ball that was clearly above waist height. The on-field umpire immediately called it a No Ball.
But LSG challenged the decision using DRS, and shockingly, third umpire Yeshwant Barde overturned the call, declaring it a Valid Ball instead!
The SRH camp was furious — especially batter Heinrich Klaasen, who was visibly upset. After the match, Klaasen didn’t hold back, blasting the umpires by saying: The standard of umpiring in the IPL is just poor!”
And guess what? That comment cost him — he was fined 10% of his match fee.
After going through these 6 worst umpiring calls in IPL history, don’t you feel like smashing your phone too? LOL. Out of the six cases, three times the team that benefited from the biased decision actually won!
Makes you wonder… could some umpires be placing bets on cricket themselves?
If you ever catch a controversial call mid-match, here’s a tip — head over to Vegas11 and place a bet on the team the umpire seems to be favoring!
With how things go, you’ve got a 50/50 shot at winning just by reading the bias.
Every year, the IPL serves up at least a few questionable calls — but honestly, nothing can kill my love for cricket.
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FAQ about IPL Umpiring Decisions
What does a 50% match fee fine mean?
The fine is calculated based on the player’s match fee, not their annual salary.
If the match fee is ₹1,000,000 per game, a 50% fine would be ₹500,000.
What is a No Ball?
A No Ball is ruled when the bowler violates specific rules while delivering. Common cases include overstepping the line or a waist-high full toss. The batter receives a Free Hit and the delivery is not counted.
What is the DRS system?
DRS (Decision Review System) uses technology like Hawk-Eye to analyze ball trajectory, helping umpires make precise calls for LBW and catches.
When can a team use DRS? What is a challenge?
Teams get two reviews per match. If the challenge is successful (the decision is overturned), the review is not deducted. It’s used to verify LBW or catch decisions via video evidence.
Most unfair decisions against Kohli
Virat Kohli has faced several controversial calls:
- 2016 vs RCB: Wrong LBW; ball was missing stumps.
- 2018 vs MI: Caught behind without bat contact.
- 2020 vs DC: LBW despite no contact with leg.
Which team has suffered most from wrong calls?
RCB is frequently cited as the team most affected by umpiring errors, particularly in high-stakes matches during 2016 and 2018 against Mumbai Indians.
