Bengaluru:Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) has expressed strong dissatisfaction over a controversial catch decision that led to the dismissal of skipper Rajat Patidar during their IPL clash against Gujarat Titans (GT).
The incident triggered visible frustration within the RCB camp, with senior player Virat Kohli seen arguing with officials during the match.
The flashpoint of the match came when Gujarat Titans all-rounder Jason Holder took a low catch to dismiss Patidar. While the on-field decision went in favour of GT after a third umpire review, RCB players strongly believed the ball had touched the ground before being completed.
The decision did not sit well with Kohli, who was visibly animated and engaged in a heated exchange with match officials near the boundary rope. The moment quickly became one of the most talked-about incidents of the match.
Speaking after the game, RCB pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar shared the team's perspective on the controversial dismissal. He indicated that, based on the visuals shown on the stadium's big screen, the players were convinced that the ball had made contact with the turf.
'I wasn't there, but from what I saw, the ball touched the ground. I don't know what the umpire told them, or whether it was within the laws of the game. However, we wanted the umpire to take a closer look at it,' Bhuvneshwar said during the post-match press conference.
He added that the team's primary concern was not just the decision itself, but the lack of additional angles being reviewed before arriving at a conclusion.
While the catch incident dominated headlines, the match itself saw RCB suffer a rare batting collapse. Despite a promising start led by Kohli, the Bengaluru side was bowled out for 155 runs.
Gujarat Titans comfortably chased down the target with more than four overs remaining, sealing a convincing victory. The defeat highlighted a rare off-day for RCB's otherwise strong batting line-up this season.
Reflecting on the loss, Bhuvneshwar maintained that the result was more about GT's strong performance than any major shortcomings on RCB's part.
'I wouldn't say anything went wrong, but rather that they batted well. It often comes down to whether it is a good day or a bad day. We lost the toss and were asked to bat first; we tried our best, but the result is that we lost,' he said.
He emphasised that inconsistency is natural in a long tournament like the Indian Premier League, where each team plays 14 matches in the league stage.
'Our batting has been good throughout the tournament—we have scored 200 or more previously. This time, we were not up to the mark, but these things happen. It is about complementing each other,' he added.
Despite the setback, RCB remains a strong contender in the ongoing IPL season. The team has shown consistent performances in earlier matches, particularly with the bat.
However, the controversy has once again brought attention to the role of technology and decision-making standards in modern cricket. Calls for greater transparency and more comprehensive use of available camera angles are likely to intensify following this incident.
The disputed dismissal of Rajat Patidar has left RCB frustrated, with players questioning whether the correct decision was made. While the loss to Gujarat Titans will impact their campaign, the controversy surrounding the catch is likely to remain a talking point in the tournament.
As the IPL progresses, both teams will look to move past the incident, but the debate over umpiring standards and the use of technology continues to linger.