MI fans outraged as controversial run out call by 3rd umpire leads to DC's last-ball victory in WPL: 'A disgrace to the game'

Mumbai Indians fans were enraged by a contentious umpiring decision during the final ball of their first WPL 2025 match against Delhi Capitals in Vadodara on Saturday. The use of LED Zing bails proved to be a game-changer, as it led to a call that ultimately resulted in MI losing the match.

With two runs needed off the last ball in the 165-run chase, DC's Arundhati Reddy lofted the ball over the off-side in-field, prompting a desperate throw from MI captain Harmanpreet Kaur. As Arundhati dived to make her ground, the Zing bails illuminated before her bat had fully crossed the crease.

While the traditional cricket ruling states that the batter can only be deemed out once the bails are dislodged, in the WPL, the decisive call can be made once the Zing bails light up.

The rule states: “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.”

However, Arundhati was ruled not out, handing Delhi a last-ball victory by two wickets. The fans on the internet were left bewildered, questioning the fairness of the ruling. Former women's cricketer Lisa Sthalekar, as well as coach Mike Hesson, reacted to the decision on X.

This is how fans reacted:

This wasn’t the only instance where Mumbai felt hard done by. Earlier in the match, two similar decisions went against them, when Radha Yadav appeared short of her crease as the Zing bails lit up, yet was adjudged not out. In the 18th over, Shikha Pandey also faced a near-identical situation but was ruled safe despite replays suggesting otherwise.

The controversy stems from the clash between WPL’s playing conditions and traditional cricket laws. As per standard cricket rules, the wicket is broken only when the bails are permanently removed. However, WPL rules count the first frame in which the LED bails light up as the moment of dismissal.

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