Kolkata Knight Riders have expressed strong displeasure with the umpire following a controversial catch by Lucknow Super Giants’ Digvesh Rathi that led to the dismissal of their key batsman Finn Allen. The incident occurred during an IPL match on April 9.
Allen edged Prince Yadav’s delivery in the second over and sent the ball into the third man region. Digvesh Rathi caught the ball near the boundary but appeared to step on the rope while completing the catch. Despite that KN third umpire Anantha Padmanabhan dismissed Allen after a brief review.
KKR vs LSG: MAIN | SCORECARD
Speaking after the game, Powell questioned the consistency of the decision, especially given how carefully such calls are usually scrutinized.
“Definitely. You know, we had to talk about it when (Finn Allen) left, we thought we’d seen in the IPL, the refs went up for less money, they’re not for the smaller things, not that close. It might have been the blonde nun dear, but we’re not going to look into it and say it cost us 2 points.”
The footage showed that Digvesh’s left foot touched the boundary rope as he completed the catch, which should not have prevented Allen. The decision sparked anger among cricket fans on social media, with many criticizing the quality of umpiring in the tournament.
WHAT WAS THE DIGVESH-ALLEN CATCH CONTROVERSY?
The controversy centered on whether Digvesh Rathi stepped on or behind the boundary rope while taking the catch. According to the rules, if a fielder touches the boundary with any part of his body while in possession of the ball, it will result in a void catch. Despite the video showing contact with the rope, the third referee upheld the dismissal.
This is not the first time that umpires’ decisions have been scrutinized this IPL season. Earlier, a similar incident where Phil Salt caught Heinrich Klaasen near the midwicket boundary led to debate about the correctness of the call. Such recurring problems have raised concerns about the consistency and accuracy of refereeing standards across the league.
Finn Allen’s early dismissal affected KKR’s batting momentum in the match against LSG. Powell pointed out how such decisions affect a team’s points and overall performance. The IPL continues to face challenges in maintaining high standards of officiating in the fast pace of the game.
The controversy highlights the need for improved protocols to support referees and ensure fair results for all teams involved. Accurate and consistent decision-making remains essential to maintaining the integrity of the tournament.
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Issued by:
Debodinna Chakraborty
Published on:
10 Apr 2026 10:01 AM IST
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