IPL 2020 | Unfortunate Cricket does not put technology to good use like other sports, loathes Ness Wadia
Kings XI Punjab co-owner Ness Wadia, in the wake of an umpiring error costing his side the game versus Delhi Capitals, has claimed that technology is not being utilized to its full potential in cricket. Wadia called for fairness and transparency and alleged that umpiring errors cost KXIP the match.
Controversy and IPL go hand-in-hand and after a no-ball controversy early on in the tournament, involving Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bangalore, haunted the lucrtaive league last year, IPL 2020 has already seen an umpiring error dominate proceedings. An incorrect āone-shortā decision from the on-field umpire ended up costing Kings XI Punjab their tournament opener versus Delhi Capitals and the failure to use technology to its fullest extent has since come under the scanner.Ā
Third-umpires failed to intervene during both instances, in the MI vs RCB gameĀ in IPL 2019 and the KXIP vs DC game this year, and the Punjab franchiseās co-owner Ness Wadia called for the sport to utilize technology better. Wadia feels that it is āunfortunateā that cricket does not reap the benefits of technology like Football and the NBA.Ā
āIt is exceedingly unfortunate that today, with tremendous use of technology, we still do not use it to ensure total fairness and transparency in cricket, like several other leagues across the world including EPL, NBA, etc., do. VAR has become something which is used across the world,ā Wadia was quoted as saying by TOI.
āYesterdayās game had two umpiring mistakes which cost KXIP the game. The first came in the first few overs of the match, where a leg bye went for a four and it was given as leg bye by the umpire, but it was actually a wide ball. That one run would have helped Kings XI win the game versus losing.
"The second disastrous decision came at the end of the game in the last couple of overs, when a run was deemed as not being a run even though TV replays showed that it had been a run. Unfortunately these two decisions cost Kings XI the game.ā
Wadia, whose side has launched an appeal against the incorrect decision, requested the BCCI to ensure that thereās better and higher standards of umpiring, and also pleaded with the board to put technology to good use. The KXIP co-owner noted that there is no use of technology in the case of it not being able to ensure equitability to the teams and players involved in the sport.
āI would request BCCI to ensure better umpiring and maximum use of the technology so as to ensure fairness and transparency in the IPL, which is amongst the best leagues in the world. I feel it is unfortunate that Kings XI were the subject of poor decision-making by the umpire, which cost us the game.
"I do hope that BCCI implements a system and process so that the other teams do not suffer the same plight as Kings XI did yesterday.
āIf technology is not there to be used for the fairness and transparency of the game and to ensure that it is equitable to all, then why use technology at all?ā Wadia concluded.