After the Shreyas Iyer-led Punjab Kings (PBKS) team lost a high-scoring match against Delhi Capitals (DC) on Saturday, May 24, at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur, co-owner Preity Zinta blasted the umpiring standards in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025.
Mohit Sharma’s final delivery was hit flat towards long-on by Shashank Singh in the fifteenth over of the opening innings of the pivotal match. While taking the catch tantalisingly close to the boundary cushion, Karun Nair, who was positioned at long-on, attempted to balance himself. Instead of attempting to make the catch, he realised that his best course of action was to release the ball into the field to stop the maximum. The Vidarbha batsman did so, but he even signalled six because he thought his right leg had touched the rope when he was holding the ball.
The on-field umpire nevertheless made the decision to have the third umpire check it. The third umpire for this match, Chris Gaffaney, reviewed the replays and could not find any solid proof to call a six, hence Punjab was given just one run.
An outraged Preity Zinta declared that “such mistakes are unacceptable”
In a prestigious competition like the IPL on her official ‘X’ (formerly Twitter) handle. She further disclosed that Nair informed her that it was a six following the game.
Check the tweet below:
In a such a high profile tournament with so much technology at the Third Umpire’s disposal such mistakes are unacceptable & simply shouldn’t happen. I spoke To Karun after the game & he confirmed it was DEFINITELY a 6 ! I rest my case ! #PBKSvsDC #IPL2025 https://t.co/o35yCueuNP
— Preity G Zinta (@realpreityzinta) May 24, 2025
@grok it was a DC vs PBKS match. Karun nair tried to save a six on the boundary line but after saving he confirmed that it was a six. Then third umpire checked it and it wasn’t a six.
— Konda Reddy (@gayatri_an68571) May 24, 2025
While the decision did not go in PBKS’ favour, they still managed to produce a formidable total of 206/8 in 20 overs, thanks to Shreyas Iyer’s 34-ball 53 and Marcus Stoinis’ searing cameo in the death overs. However, the score was insufficient, as the Delhi Capitals cruised home with six wickets and three balls remaining. Sameer Rizvi top-scored for DC with an unbeaten 58 off 25 balls.
