Controversial run-out decisions by the third umpire proved decisive as Delhi Capitals secured a dramatic last-ball victory over Mumbai Indians in the Women's Premier League (WPL) 2025 clash at Vadodara.
Three critical run-out calls, all adjudged not out, triggered heated debate and left Mumbai Indians' skipper Harmanpreet Kaur visibly displeased.
The third umpire, Gayathri Venugopalan, ruled the batters not out in all three instances, seemingly disregarding the initial moment when the LED stumps first illuminated as the point of dismissal.
According to Appendix D of the WPL 2025 playing conditions, the moment the stumps light up is considered when the wicket is broken.
Former India captain Mithali Raj, commenting on JioHotstar, questioned two of the decisions involving Shikha Pandey and Radha Yadav.
"Pandey was given not out while the batter had the bat on the line," Raj said. "With Radha Yadav, we can see the blade of the bat up. It is nowhere touching any part of the ground [inside] the crease [when the LED stumps light up]. That means she is out. The bat was never in the crease. That is pretty much out."
The first contentious decision occurred in the 18th over when Shikha Pandey, having faced her first delivery, attempted a quick bye but was sent back by Niki Prasad.
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A direct hit at the striker's end prompted a review. Replays showed Pandey's bat was on the crease line when the LED stumps illuminated.
However, the third umpire focused on a later frame where the bails were fully dislodged, by which time Pandey's bat was safely inside the crease, and ruled her not out.
The decision allowed Delhi Capitals to reduce their target to 24 runs off 14 balls. Although Pandey was eventually run out midway through the 19th over, the decision had already shifted the momentum.
Just two deliveries later, a mix-up left Radha Yadav diving to reach the striker's end while Niki Prasad was stranded mid-pitch. Wicketkeeper Yastika Bhatia dislodged the bails as Radha's bat remained raised above the ground when the LED stumps first illuminated.
However, the third umpire again relied on a subsequent frame, declaring her not out. Radha capitalised on the reprieve by striking a six off the next delivery, leaving Delhi Capitals needing 10 runs from the final over.
The controversy intensified in the last over. With two runs required from the final two deliveries, Prasad was caught at deep midwicket, bringing Arundhati Reddy to the crease.
On the last ball, Reddy lofted a shot over cover as the batters scrambled for the winning second run. Harmanpreet Kaur's throw to Bhatia at the striker's end led to another tight run-out call.
Initial replays again showed Reddy's bat on the crease line when the LED stumps first lit up, but the third umpire relied on a later frame and ruled that "the batter has made her ground before the wicket is completely dislodged," granting Delhi Capitals a tense victory.
Harmanpreet Kaur, clearly dissatisfied, engaged in a prolonged discussion with on-field umpires N Janani and Anish Sahasrabudhe following the decisions.
Despite her protests, Delhi Capitals emerged victorious, further igniting debate over the consistency of third umpire decisions in the WPL 2025 season.
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