Chaos in cricket: Third umpire reverses, then re-reverses decision; apologises after protest in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy final

The final match of Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy saw bizarre scenes as the third umpire first reversed the decision of the on-field umpire, only to re-reverse it again.

Chaos ensured after the third umpire, Anantha Padmanabhan, changed the on-field umpire's decision on a wide ball during the clash between Mumbai and Madhya Pradesh in Bengaluru on Sunday.

The entire episode turned into an embarrassment as the umpire gaffe saw him apologising for his mistake right at the end of the first innings.


The drama unfolded on the final ball of the MP innings.

Mumbai bowler Shardul Thakur bowled a full delivery wide outside off stump to Madhya Pradesh captain Rajat Patidar. The on-field umpire called a wide.

Mumbai challenged the call. Third umpire Anantha Padmanabhan overturned the decision, ruling it a legal delivery. Patidar questioned the decision, pointing out where the ball pitched. After discussion with the on-field umpires, the third umpire reviewed the footage again.

The third umpire then reversed his decision, calling it a wide. “Extremely sorry, the ball had pitched outside the popping crease. I did not see that,” Ananthapadmanabhan said on-air.

Patidar then hit the final delivery for a six. Madhya Pradesh finished their innings at 174 for eight. Mumbai reached the target in 17.5 overs, winning the title.

Nonetheless, Mumbai chased down the target in just 17.5 overs to clinch the title.