 "Explained: WPL's LED stumps and run out controversy as Delhi Capitals beat Mumbai Indians")
Delhi Capitals’ thrilling two-wicket win over Mumbai Indians in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2025 on Saturday was marred by controversy after DC's Arundhati Reddy was given not out by the third umpire on the last ball .
Delhi Capitals needed two runs for a win on the last ball and Reddy slammed S Sajana’s last delivery to covers and went for a two. The stumps were broken by the Mumbai wicket-keeper as Reddy put in a full-stretched dive to complete the two runs.
The appeal for a run out was referred to the third umpire who eventually decided it was not out. The controversy erupted because it was felt that the stumps and Zing bails seemed to have lightened up before Reddy managed to cross the crease with her bat.
WPL match ignites run out controversy
The umpire’s decision, however, showed that the time the stumps or Zing bails lit up wasn’t considered while deciding the run-out decision.
Former New Zealand and RCB coach Mike Hesson also raised the same topic on social media. “Not sure why the umpire tonight has decided that the zinger bails are not applicable? Once bails lights up connection is lost therefore wicket is broken! That is in the playing conditions! Have seen more confusion in last 10 mins than ever before.” he wrote on X.
Traditionally in cricket, batters were given run out when bails lost contact with the stumps. Going by that argument, if Zing bails lighting up means the connection is lost then the batter should be given run out. However, in Saturday’s WPL game, this is not how the third umpire made the decision.
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As per the Playing Conditions, rule 4.2 says: “Where LED Wickets are used (as provided for in paragraph 3.8.1.5) the moment at which the wicket has been put down (as per clause 29.1) shall be deemed to be the first frame in which the LED lights are illuminated and subsequent frames show the bail permanently removed from the top of the stumps.”
Clause 29.1 says: “The wicket is broken when at least one bail is completely removed from the top of the stumps, one or more stumps is removed from the ground.”
It’s important to note that TV Umpire Gayathri Venugopalan took similar decisions earlier when run-out appeals were made against DC’s Shikha Pandey and Radha Yadav in the match. All the decisions went in favour of DC, creating confusion around the run-out rule.
DC beating Mumbai Indians was the second match of WPL 2025. In the opener, RCB successfully chased down 202 against Gujarat Giants. UP Warriorz will kick off their campaign on Sunday (16 February) against Gujarat.
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