Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra has raised concerns over Rajat Patidar’s controversial dismissal during Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 Match 42 between the defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Gujarat Titans (GT) at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on April 30.
Chasing a modest total, GT secured a comfortable victory, reaching the target with four wickets in hand and 25 balls remaining. Earlier in the match, RCB were bowled out for 155, with Patidar contributing 19 runs off 15 deliveries before falling to a contentious catch taken by Jason Holder at fine leg off Arshad Khan’s bowling.
The dismissal sparked debate among fans and experts, with many questioning whether Holder had cleanly completed the catch. Sharing his views, Chopra stated that the decision was incorrect as per the laws of the game.
“In my opinion, it wasn’t a catch. Law 33.3 has a clear distinction that once the ball comes into your hand, you need to have full control of the ball and on your body, and until then, the ball shouldn’t touch the ground. Your hand can touch the ground, but the ball can’t,” Chopra said on his YouTube channel.
He further elaborated on the nature of the catch, pointing out that Holder was still in motion while attempting to complete it.
“Jason Holder took the catch and slid. When you are sliding, your body is still in motion, and it is not in complete control. When he was sliding, the ball had touched the ground, and the ball wasn’t dead by then. The catch had not been completed. I felt the umpire made a mistake there. It should have been given not out,” he added.
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RCB’s Virat Kohli was seen animated at the boundary ropes, seemingly protesting the decision. He even had an animated chat with the match official, with RCB’s head coach Andy Flower joining him.
