Virat Kohli Reacts Strongly to Mohammad Kaif’s Umpiring Criticism in No-Ball Controversy

In a dramatic turn of events during the IPL 2024 match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Kolkata Knight Riders, Virat Kohli’s dismissal off Harshit Rana’s bowling has sparked controversy and criticism. Kohli was caught and bowled by Rana, but there was a big question mark over the legality of the delivery.

The incident occurred when Kohli was convinced that the full toss he received was a no-ball. The former RCB captain even expressed his frustration by shouting at the umpire. Despite going for a review, the replays showed that the ball was dipping and would have ended up below Kohli’s waist if he had been standing at his normal batting position.

Following the incident, former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif took to Instagram to criticize the umpiring standards in the IPL. He pointed out the inconsistency in decision-making, citing examples of a clear beamer getting Kohli out and a ball passing under Dhoni’s bat being declared wide.

In response to Kohli’s dissent towards the umpire, the IPL fined him 50 per cent of his match fees for breaching the Code of Conduct. Kohli accepted the sanction, admitting to a Level 1 offence under Article 2.8 of the IPL’s Code of Conduct.

The fiery reaction from Kohli and the subsequent criticism from Kaif have added fuel to the ongoing debate about the quality of umpiring in the IPL. The incident has left fans and experts divided, with many calling for better technology and decision-making processes to avoid such controversies in the future.