Nothing adverse in match referee’s report on IPL umpiring howlers: Official

The official said that Nayyar's report is not critical as the errors are purely human, under pressure circumstances.

BCCI match referee Manu Nayyar has not submitted any adverse report against umpires Sundaram Ravi and C Nandan for their howlers during the IPL game between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Mumbai Indians, an official said Friday.

An upset RCB skipper Virat Kohli had a word with errant umpire S Ravi, whose failure to sight a no ball by Lasith Malinga proved costly for the home team during its six run loss to the Mumbai Indians in Thursday’s IPL encounter. (ALSO READ: Umpiring howlers due to lack of system: BCCI official)

It has been learnt that umpire Ravi had a word with the RCB skipper before leaving the premises and he did express his regret. (READ: Bumrah’s mastery, Chahal’s bravery and that no-ball)

“Nayyar’s report is also not very critical,” an IPL official privy to the discussion told PTI on condition of anonymity.

“Virat was upset and told Ravi that this no ball cost them dearly. Ravi expressed his regret and admitted that he didn’t take the right decision at that moment,” he added. (ALSO READ: Ravi and Nandan could escape sanctions due to lack of Indian umpires in IPL)

The official said that Nayyar’s report is not critical as the errors are purely human, under pressure circumstances. He also rubbished unsubstantiated reports that Kohli had barged into Nayyar’s room to express his anger against Ravi.

“The reports of Kohli barging in match referee’s room and all that published in a website is a figment of imagination. Nothing of that sort happened,” the official said. (ALSO READ: Fuming Virat Kohli calls umpire’s mistake ‘ridiculous’)

“Once Virat said what he had to during presentation ceremony, why does he even need to go to Nayyar? He made it clear what he felt about umpiring,” he added referring to Kohli’s post-match comment that the umpires should have kept their eyes open. (ALSO READ: ‘Most Indian umpires ignoring habit of looking at bowler’s foot’)

Ravi couldn’t spot a no ball bowled by Malinga off the last delivery with RCB needing six runs to take the game to Super Over. As a result, the home team was denied a free-hit which could have changed the complexion of the match. (ALSO READ: Mistakes shouldn’t happen, they are game changers: Rohit Sharma)

Kohli vented his anger at the post match presentation ceremony where he said that umpires should be aware that this is not a “club level game” and “should have been more sharp.”