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A fresh storm has erupted over the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, as Friday’s match between Gujarat Titans (GT) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in Hyderabad witnessed a spate of controversial umpiring decisions.
Fans took to social media to allege that the game was ‘fixed’, claiming that the third umpire’s rulings consistently went against the Gujarat Titans. Although no formal complaint has been lodged, and these remain speculative accusations, the high-octane verbal clashes of GT skipper Shubman Gill with match umpires have opened a can of worms.
Shubman Gill's Dismissal Sparks Immediate Backlash
The controversy peaked when Gujarat Titans captain Shubman Gill was given out under contentious circumstances. Batting fluently at 76 off just 38 balls, Gill appeared set for a potential century before a debatable run-out decision curtailed his innings.
The incident unfolded when Jos Buttler nudged a delivery from Zeeshan Ansari towards short fine leg and attempted a tight single. Harshal Patel’s sharp throw was collected by SRH keeper Heinrich Klaasen, who tried to deflect the ball onto the stumps.
Replays showed the ball kissing Klaasen’s glove before hitting the stumps, creating ambiguity over whether the gloves or the ball dislodged the bails. Third umpire Michael Gough went through multiple angles and frame-by-frame reviews before ruling Gill out.
The decision did not sit well with Gill, who was seen arguing with on-field officials and later engaging in a fiery exchange with the fourth umpire after returning to the dugout.
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Another Disputed DRS Call Intensifies Fan Outrage
Tensions mounted further during the SRH innings. In the 14th over, GT appealed for an LBW against Abhishek Sharma after he was struck on the pads by a yorker. The on-field umpire was unmoved, but GT reviewed.
The replay showed the impact of the ball was just outside the leg-stump line. However, the pitch-tracking technology did not display the ball's original pitch point—an omission that triggered further suspicion.
Gill again confronted the umpires and had to be calmed down by Abhishek Sharma himself. While the two players eventually shared a light moment, the crowd and viewers online were far from amused.
This sequence of events created a narrative of bias and lack of transparency, which rapidly gained traction online.
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Fan Allegations of Match-Fixing Flood Social Media
In the immediate aftermath of the game, social media platforms, particularly X (formerly Twitter), were ablaze with criticism. Several fans alleged that the match was fixed, specifically pointing to the third umpire’s decisions as suspicious. Hashtags like #Fixing, #GTvsSRH, and #UmpireBias began trending.
One user wrote, “How can this be fair umpiring? Both key calls went SRH’s way. It’s daylight robbery.” Another fan added, “Third umpire had one job and he messed it up twice. Fixing seems obvious now.”
Some fans drew parallels with previous matches, alleging a broader pattern. “This isn’t the first time GT has benefited from umpiring errors,” one tweet read, referencing another incident involving Washington Sundar.
Historical Precedent: Washington Sundar’s Controversial Dismissal
The claims of match manipulation gained further momentum due to a similar incident earlier in IPL 2025. In a previous GT vs SRH encounter, Washington Sundar was controversially dismissed for 49 while appearing to be in complete control. His dismissal came after a questionable catch taken by Aniket Verma near the boundary.
Though replays showed a strong possibility of the ball brushing the turf, the third umpire again ruled in favour of GT, triggering a flood of social media criticism.
Calls for Reform Grow Louder
The accumulation of such events in IPL 2025 has led to louder calls for systemic reform in umpiring standards. Former cricketers have taken to social media to criticise the apparent inconsistencies in third umpire decisions, especially in crucial matches where the outcome significantly impacts the playoff race.
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Experts suggest implementing additional layers of verification, increasing transparency in the third umpire's communication, and integrating better technology to reduce human error. Until such changes are made, fans and stakeholders alike fear that the credibility of the world’s most-watched T20 league could be at stake.
