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Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) found themselves on the wrong end of a gut-wrenching one-run loss against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in Match 36 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season at Eden Gardens on Sunday (April 21).
RCB’s valiant effort falls short in IPL 2024 clash
In their pursuit of 223 runs for victory, RCB’s innings culminated at 221/10 within the mandated 20 overs. Despite the early dismissals of star players, Virat Kohli (18) and Faf du Plessis (7), the team showcased resilience with a formidable 102 run partnership between Rajat Patidar (52) and Will Jacks (55) in just eight overs. However, their momentum was abruptly halted by KKR’s all-rounder Andre Russell, who picked the wickets of both well set batters in his first over which was the first over
Subsequently, Sunil Narine struck twice in the following over, removing Cameron Green (4) and Mahipal Lomror (6), causing RCB’s innings to falter at 155/6. Despite valiant efforts from Suyash Prabhudessai (24), Dinesh Karthik (25), and Karn Sharma (20), KKR maintained their composure and clinched victory on the final delivery.
Also READ: Former CSK batter Suresh Raina takes a brutal jibe at franchises without an IPL title
Controversy brews: Umpiring error mars RCB’s loss to KKR
Post-match, several disheartened RCB supporters took to social media to express their discontent, pointing out a significant umpiring error. They circulated a video highlighting a contentious moment during the 17th over of RCB’s chase. Fans argued that Impact Player Prabhudessai was unjustly denied a six, contending that his shot should have been awarded the maximum instead of a boundary. They further criticized the umpires for neglecting to review the decision to determine whether the ball landed within the boundary ropes.
Here’s how Twitter reacted:
BTW that four which Suyash Prabhudessai scored against Varun was a Six 🤡
Umpire clowns didn't check it properly
— 𝙍𝘿𝙆 𝘿𝙖𝙨 (@WasChampVirat18) April 21, 2024
I know many people are questioning that boundary decision if it was a six or not but I want to point out something else.
There was a horror wide decision that was given when Russell ducked the bouncer of Green. Did the 3rd Umpire consider his height while making that decision?
— Aditya Saha (@Adityakrsaha) April 21, 2024
Seriously people may say that it's a case of sour grapes but very honestly I would say that this IPL has looked a lot shady with toss fiasco, substandard umpiring, random vibes based wide calls, lack of camera angles for crucial catches/boundaries. https://t.co/0hL0RzBZSl
— Ricky talks Cricket (@CricRicky) April 21, 2024
This is horrible umpiring. The one that arouses suspicions of fixing. No wonder why I was thinking why they didn't show the front angle and directly declared it as four. This is the worst IPL in terms of umpiring. https://t.co/uycrdDyaw6
— Hriday (Fan-Account) (@Hriday1812) April 21, 2024
Don't emotionally invest yourself in this fixed league. They are not even hiding it anymore. Openly giving biased decisions to change the course of the match https://t.co/8lfQayicdq
— Pallavi~ release Kohli (@Pallavi_paul21) April 21, 2024
The umpiring level has been downright pathetic this season. But here this is daylight robbery. It has touched a new low!
And mind you, IPL Is amongst one of the top cricket leagues around the world!! https://t.co/QeWoOAFMQz— Dr. Palak Singh (@thatsmePalak) April 21, 2024
Umpires these days take the review every random obvious decision which irritates everyone and mess the boundaries which half the time they cannot see
🤦🏻♂️ https://t.co/UKPLcfbOhC— Random Guy Here (@arandomguyposts) April 22, 2024
Won't watch a single match from now on, will tell irls to don't as well. Boycott this joke of a league. They don't even hide it anymore https://t.co/R4dPZ8xmC1
— A. (@rcb_itcell) April 21, 2024
I knew this the moment I saw it on TV from such a distance, but the umpires and people out there can't see it with their naked eyes. Rigged league for real. I have stopped watching it. https://t.co/v1JRpJESQJ
— Partha S. Bhuyan (@iampartha_35) April 21, 2024
Joke of a league. IPL fell down. https://t.co/QZf8VnKZAr
— Blackpearl (@bharathtweets) April 21, 2024
If they dont take any action on this then its high time people should start boycotting this fixed league. @StarSportsIndia now speak on this if you are unbiased
— 𝐊𝐨𝐡𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭!𝟎𝐧_👑🚩 (@bholination) April 22, 2024
Some Odd things that happend in Second innings in #RCBvKKR
That's definitely a Clear six but umpire gave that a four which costed @RCBTweets a match pic.twitter.com/XrNbcWhLOL
— PetKer (@SpideyToTEm) April 22, 2024
RCB’s playoff hopes dwindle
This defeat marked RCB’s seventh loss in eight games this season, leaving them at the bottom of the points table among the 10 competing teams. With their playoff aspirations hanging by a thread, RCB faces the daunting task of securing victories in all their remaining matches and relying on favorable outcomes from other teams to maintain the slimmest hope of advancing to the playoffs. Their next challenge awaits against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium on Thursday (April 25).
