Umpiring Controversies

No-Ball Controversy — IPL 2019 Final

12 May 2019Mumbai Indians vs Chennai Super KingsIPL 2019 Final1 min readSeverity: Explosive

Summary

Lasith Malinga appeared to overstep on the crucial final over but the no-ball was not called, potentially costing CSK the IPL 2019 title.

What Happened

In the IPL 2019 final between Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings, the match came down to the final over. CSK needed 9 runs off the last over bowled by Lasith Malinga, and 2 off the final ball.

Shardul Thakur was bowled by Malinga off the last ball, giving Mumbai Indians their fourth IPL title by 1 run. However, replays showed that Malinga had overstepped on the delivery, and the front-foot no-ball should have been called. A no-ball would have given CSK a free hit with 2 needed off 2 balls instead of 2 off 1.

The non-call was a massive controversy. CSK fans and neutral observers pointed out that the on-field umpire should have detected such a clear overstep. The incident reignited calls for the third umpire to monitor front-foot no-balls in real time — a technology that was subsequently implemented in the IPL.

The BCCI introduced the automatic front-foot no-ball detection system (using cameras and later AI) from the following IPL season, directly as a result of this controversy.

⚖️ The Verdict

Mumbai Indians won by 1 run. The controversy led to implementation of technology-assisted no-ball calling in the IPL.

Tags

#ipl#final#no ball#csk#mumbai indians#lasith malinga

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