In the match between Gujarat Titans (GT) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), Shubman Gill’s run-out drew considerable attention and debate. As Gill and Jos Buttler built a solid partnership, adding 62 runs for the second wicket and elevating GT to 149 in the 13th over, a contentious run-out ended the stand. The incident in question: Did the ball dislodge the bails, or did wicketkeeper Heinrich Klaasen’s gloves play a role?
Though the TV umpire declared Gill out, cricket commentator Aakash Chopra asserted, “There was enough doubt” to overturn the decision.
In that critical moment, leg-spinner Zeeshan Ansari delivered a googly to Buttler, who nudged it behind square. Gill and Buttler attempted a single that seemed unhurried, but Harshal Patel’s swift throw to the stumps forced Gill to stretch for the crease. Klaasen, positioned next to the stumps, not directly behind the ball’s path, appeared to have his right hand alarmingly close to the stumps when the ball contacted them.
Aakash Chopra, speaking on ESPNcricinfo’s Time Out show, expressed his view: “My point is simple, that hitting the stumps is not good enough these days. We’ve seen Jofra Archer bowling at 145 clicks…the bails haven’t come off – thank you very much. You have to establish, there has to be conclusive evidence to suggest that the bails have come off courtesy that hit.”
TV umpire Michael Gough reviewed the footage, looking for signs that would confirm a redirection of the ball past Klaasen’s gloves before striking the stumps. Replays seemed to indicate a change in the ball’s path, raising the question of whether the ball or the gloves made initial contact with the stumps. According to Chopra, “In my opinion, there was enough doubt… what caused the disturbance in the end… it is definitely [doubtful].”
Despite Gill’s dismissal, GT managed a competitive total of 224 for 6, later restricting SRH to 186 for 6, thus advancing to second position on the IPL 2025 points table. Nevertheless, Gill’s displeasure was evident both as he left the field and during post-match discussions with officials.
This incident highlights the ongoing challenges and complexities of cricket’s intricate technology-reliant decision processes, stirring fervent discussions within the cricket community.
