VIDEO | "Soft signal" controversy makes news again as match winner KL Rahul gets a second life

The emphasis on fielding has never been higher than it currently is in the Indian Premier League as Delhi Daredevils' Pravin Amre pointed out yesterday where he claimed that it had been the reason for Delhi's loss to Sunrisers Hyderabad. The match between Rajasthan Royals and Kings XI Punjab also some absolutely sublime efforts starting with Chris Gayle which was followed by Manoj Tiwary and Mayank Agarwal's impressive effort at the boundary. But the one that will create all the headlines came in the second innings as RR were denied Rahul's wicket because of the "soft signal" rule.

With KXIP chasing a total of 153 to win, RR managed to get themselves in the game after they claimed the wicket of Chris Gayle early on in the innings. However, opener KL Rahul continued to be in fine form as he managed to hit 84 off 54 balls to lead the team to victory. But things could have gone differently if the incident that took place in the fifteenth over would have gone against Rahul.

The Punjab opener looked to hit a Jaydev Unadkat delivery on the offside but could not get a proper connection on the ball and it travelled in the air towards Sanju Samson. Samson brilliantly dove to his left and made a stunning catch which looked to have turned the momentum in the match. The umpires decided to have a little chat and decided to leave the decision making to their colleague sitting upstairs and revealed that the soft signal from the ground was not out. 

After the third umpire had checked the legality of the ball, he saw the side angle where it appeared that the ball might have bounced before Samson gobbled it up. But even after zooming into the frame, it was difficult to ascertain whether a legal catch had been taken. As such he switched to the front angle which made things even more interesting as it looked like Samson had completed the catch. The third umpire took a couple of minutes and more than a handful of looks before sticking with the soft signal and gave Rahul another chance at the crease. 

As the cameras panned to RR head coach Shane Warne, the Aussie legend looked disgusted by the decision as after watching the replay, he had been seen raising his finger to show his verdict on the situation.