KKR's season dented by contentious calls

Kolkata Knight Riders have reason to feel aggrieved, even if the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) laws suggest otherwise, in one of the most contentious decisions of the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) season. If they decide to approach the Board of Control for Cricket in India, it should not come as a surprise.

Since the pre-season ban on Mustafizur Rahman, the Knight Riders have had a few rough calls, including the dismissal of Angkrish Raghuvanshi, which has divided opinion. Umpires in India have suggested that declaring him out for 'obstructing the field' may not have been appropriate, although the MCC has maintained that the decision during KKR's match against Lucknow Super Giants on April 27 was in line with the laws.

They were fined INR 12 lakh for a slow over-rate—a delay of apparently just two minutes—while umpires often take longer to review wides through referrals. Umpires also did not fully check replays in the case involving Finn Allen during their match against LSG on April 9. Allen was caught by Digvesh Rathi at the boundary, but replays suggested doubt. KKR lost the match off the last ball.

The absence of Matheesha Pathirana, bought for Rs 18 crore, is hurting the team, now in eighth place with two wins and one no result from eight games. The Sri Lankan is still available, but there is a perception that the Mustafizur Rahman issue could have been handled better by the BCCI. The franchise had signed him for Rs 9.2 crore. They let him go on BCCI advice but have not found a suitable replacement. Injuries to Harshit Rana have also not helped.

KKR are on the road for their next three games—against Sunrisers Hyderabad on May 3, Delhi Capitals on May 8, and Royal Challengers Bengaluru on May 13—before returning home to Eden for their final three matches.