KL Rahul takes umpiring howler against DC in his stride after KXIP’s Super Over defeat

Mayank Agarwal was pretty much the lone warrior for the Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) in their match against the Delhi Capitals (DC) at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. At a time when the Punjab-based franchise were chasing down 157, he saw wickets go down at the other end, but it didn’t ruffle him. He went on to score 89 off 60 balls with the help of seven fours and four sixes.

However, his knock went in vain as KXIP lost the match in the Super Over. Amidst some riveting cricket, a mini-controversy sparked at the fag end of the match. In the 18th over, the umpires gave Chris Jordan a ‘short-run’. However, going by an image, doing the rounds on social media, Jordan’s bat was well in, showing that the umpires might have made an error in judgement.

KL Rahul unfazed
Had the alleged error not taken place, KXIP could have won the game comfortably. However, KL Rahul, the KXIP captain, has taken the umpire’s decision in his stride and reckons that it’s a part and parcel of the sport. Boria Majumdar, the renowned sports journalist revealed the same.

He took to Twitter and wrote, “This @IPL is all about the spirit. I asked @klrahul11 late last night if he felt gutted with the 1 short decision and he said “but this is why it is a game dada”. Brilliant. Admire this spirit and this will serve him and his team well. @lionsdenkxip Exactly the right attitude.”

This @IPL is all about the spirit. I asked @klrahul11 late last night if he felt gutted with the 1 short decision and he said “but this is why it is a game dada”. Brilliant. Admire this spirit and this will serve him and his team well. @lionsdenkxip Exactly the right attitude.

— Boria Majumdar (@BoriaMajumdar) September 21, 2020

As far as the match is concerned, after Punjab opted to bowl first, Delhi lost the early wickets of Prithvi Shaw, Shimron Hetmyer and Shikhar Dhawan. However, Marcus Stoinis’ 21-ball 53 helped DC post a competitive 157 on the board. Shreyas Iyer and Rishabh Pant also chipped in with useful scores in the 30s.

In the run-chase, apart from Agarwal, none of the batters could show resistance. Krishnappa Gowtham scored a 14-ball 20 to support Agarwal to some extent. However, it wasn’t enough for KXIP to get over the line. In the Super Over, Kagiso Rabada was too hot to handle for Punjab. KXIP’s next match is against RCB on September 24.