Xplorich
Royal Challengers Bengaluru captain Rajat Patidar was left visibly frustrated after a controversial third-umpire decision handed Gujarat Titans batter Washington Sundar a crucial reprieve during the IPL 2026 final in Ahmedabad.The incident occurred after RCB had already made the ideal start with the ball. Having won the toss and chosen to field, the defending champions struck twice inside the powerplay to remove Gujarat’s star opening pair. Josh Hazlewood dismissed Shubman Gill for 10, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar accounted for Sai Sudharsan for 12, leaving GT under pressure early.With the Titans looking for a recovery, Jacob Duffy appeared to have provided RCB with another breakthrough. Bowling a short delivery on the leg stump, Duffy induced a mistimed pull shot from Washington Sundar, with the ball heading towards fine leg where Jordan Cox completed what initially looked like a clean catch.However, the celebration was cut short as the third umpire was called into action to examine whether the catch had been taken fairly.Multiple replays showed that Cox did not appear to have complete control of the ball throughout the catching process. The ball seemed to be trapped awkwardly between the ring fingers of both hands and, while he managed to hold on, there was uncertainty over whether it had brushed the ground as he attempted to complete the catch.After reviewing the footage, the third umpire ruled Washington not out, concluding that there was insufficient evidence to confirm a clean catch.The decision did not go down well with Patidar. The RCB skipper immediately approached the on-field umpire and appeared eager to understand the reasoning behind the verdict. Television cameras captured Patidar engaged in a lengthy discussion as he sought clarification over why the catch had not been upheld.From RCB’s perspective, the decision was particularly frustrating given how well they had started. Gujarat Titans have relied heavily on their top order throughout IPL 2026, with both Gill and Sudharsan scoring more than 700 runs during the season and playing a major role in the team’s run to the final. Their early dismissals had put RCB firmly in control before Sundar’s escape offered GT a potential route back into the contest.
