The IPL 2026 clash erupted into another big controversy when Virat Kohli turned out to be quite unhappy that the third umpire had decided, as he did with a disputed catch of Rajat Patidar.
In just a matter of weeks, the incident would go on to become one of the match's biggest talking points, with fans and cricket pros debating the decision's rightness as seen on social media platforms. This moment was so dramatic that it became synonymous with the game-changing; after Rajat Patidar made a shot that allowed him to make a dangerous chance near the boundary, at least for a short time, in the final shot at that spot.
A decision upstairs was then called by the on-field umpires to the third umpire to determine whether the catch was cleanly completed. After viewing replays from multiple angles, the third umpire ruled Patidar out. Yet the verdict didn't sit well with Virat Kohli, who, immediately after watching it on the giant screen, appeared to be frustrated.
Television cameras showed Kohli having an animated chat with teammates and officials, indicating he disagreed with the judge's decision, and many viewers also wondered aloud whether the fielder had full possession of the ball before breaking either ropes or the ground.
Social media platforms were soaked up with screenshots and static shots; cricket fans would review the game-winning record in silence from minute to minute for hours on end and dissect the video in slow-motion. For all the hysteria over the cut, the game progressed with great ferocity.
Kohli subsequently attempted to bring his game focus back to him, motivating his teammates, and holding the aggressive heat on the field. But still, the contested decision loomed larger than ever for many in this match. Former cricketers and commentators also spoke at the event. With the third umpire giving the evidence of the camera in place, some found the benefit of the doubt of an inconclusive visual to have been in favour of the batter.
The story also renewed debates on the use of technology in cricket and whether the footage from the cameras in the replay system and the current cameras available to the player at the time give a player enough space to make a very close call in a high-pressure game like IPL.
