In a bizarre twist of fate during the IPL 2025 match between Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Mumbai Indians (MI), Ishan Kishan found himself dismissed under unusual circumstances. The incident unfolded during the home game of SRH on a Wednesday evening, and though the technology seemed to suggest otherwise, the dismissal left fans and players scratching their heads.
It all started with Deepak Chahar bowling a length delivery that swung down the leg side. Kishan, trying to glance the ball, failed to make proper contact, and to everyone's surprise, he started walking off the field. However, here’s where things got interesting: there had been no appeal from any MI player, including the wicketkeeper, Ryan Rickelton, who "caught" the ball. Usually, the fielding team will appeal vocally if they believe a batter is out, but that wasn’t the case here.
The umpire, Vinod Seshan, seemed unsure at first. He raised both arms sideways, signaling a wide, but as he saw Kishan walking off, he hesitated and then dropped one arm, only to raise the other arm to signal that Kishan was out. This moment of confusion was further compounded by Hardik Pandya, the MI captain, running over to Kishan, patting him on the helmet in a gesture that seemed to commend the batter's decision to walk off without waiting for the umpire’s official call. It was a bizarre moment for cricket fans and left many questioning the umpire's call.
What made this situation even more confusing was the technology that followed. After a few balls, the Ultra Edge replays were shown, and they clearly indicated that there was no spike or indication of an edge when the ball passed Kishan's bat. The replays strongly suggested that the ball hadn’t actually touched the bat, and yet Kishan had already walked off. This raised an interesting debate about whether he should have continued playing or if the umpire had made an incorrect decision.
For Kishan, it was the second time this season that he had fallen to a caught behind down the leg side. The first time had come earlier in the season, and this time, his dismissal for just 1 off 4 balls further compounded MI's early struggles. His exit left MI reeling at 9 for 2 in just 2.1 overs, and things only got worse from there. The batting lineup faltered, and by the ninth over, SRH had managed to reduce MI to 35 for 5. In the end, MI only managed to post a total of 143 for 8 – a score that was far from sufficient in a competitive IPL match.
Now, let's zoom out a little and look at the broader context. MI, despite their inconsistent performance in this match, are still sitting comfortably in the top half of the points table. They currently hold the third spot, having won five of their eight matches. On the other hand, SRH has been struggling this season, sitting in ninth place with just two wins from their first eight matches. Their position in the table is precarious, with the only team below them being Chennai Super Kings (CSK), who have also had a challenging run.
Looking ahead, SRH’s upcoming fixtures include matches against some of the toughest teams in the league. On April 25, they will face CSK, followed by games against Gujarat Titans on May 2 and Delhi Capitals on May 5. These matches could be crucial for SRH’s hopes of making a comeback in the tournament. With the league stage moving forward, SRH will need to find some consistency and pull off some major upsets if they are to avoid being knocked out early.
MI, on the other hand, has a slightly easier path ahead, sitting in third place. They will take on Lucknow Super Giants next on April 27, followed by fixtures against Rajasthan Royals on May 1 and Gujarat Titans on May 6. With a strong squad, MI will be hoping to continue their winning ways and secure a spot in the playoffs.
The IPL 2025 season has certainly been full of surprises, and this match between SRH and MI was no exception. It was a reminder of the unpredictability of cricket, where even the smallest moments – like an umpire’s hesitation or a batter’s unexpected walk – can lead to big discussions and controversies. For Kishan, this dismissal will likely be one he’ll remember for a long time, not just for the odd nature of it, but also for how it reflected the broader challenges facing his team.
To add some excitement, here are a few key takeaways from this intriguing match:
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Ishan Kishan’s Decision to Walk Off: The cricket world was divided on whether Kishan made the right call by walking off without waiting for the umpire’s decision. Was it an honest mistake or a moment of sportsmanship? Fans are still debating this one!
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Umpire’s Hesitation: The umpire’s decision to signal wide and then hesitate before raising his arm to call it out only added to the confusion. Was it an umpire's error or a tricky situation that led to such uncertainty? It definitely made for a dramatic moment.
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Technology Didn’t Help: Despite Ultra Edge showing no contact with the bat, the lack of a formal appeal meant that the decision stood. Could technology have played a more significant role in helping the batter continue his innings?
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MI’s Struggle: Despite being in the top half of the points table, MI’s batting order seems vulnerable, and this game was a prime example of that. If they don't address their top-order woes, they might find themselves in trouble as the tournament progresses.
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SRH’s Slippery Start: SRH’s early collapse to 35 for 5 made it clear that they need to revamp their batting order. Their chances of recovery depend heavily on their ability to pull themselves together in the coming matches.
For now, all eyes will be on SRH as they look to bounce back from this tough match, while MI will hope to stay on course for a top-four finish. The IPL continues to deliver high drama, and the coming weeks will be full of twists and turns. Stay tuned!
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