Punjab Kings co-owner and Bollywood actress Preity Zinta has strongly criticized the third umpire following a controversial decision in their recent IPL 2025 clash against Delhi Capitals. The incident, which involved a disputed boundary call, has sparked intense debate among fans and cricket experts alike.
During the 15th over of Punjab’s innings, batter Shashank Singh appeared to hit a six off Delhi Capitals’ bowler Mohit Sharma. Fielder Karun Nair, positioned near the boundary rope, tried to save the ball and signaled it had gone over, believing his foot had touched the rope. However, after the third umpire reviewed the footage, the call was overturned, and only a single run was awarded instead of six.
After the match, Preity Zinta expressed her frustration on social media, stating, “In such a high-profile tournament with so much technology at the Third Umpire’s disposal, such mistakes are unacceptable & simply shouldn’t happen. I spoke to Karun after the game & he confirmed it was DEFINITELY a 6! I rest my case!”
The decision proved crucial as Punjab Kings narrowly lost the match, which affected their standings in the league and their playoff prospects. Zinta’s comments have reignited discussions about the accuracy of umpiring decisions and the need for greater accountability in the use of technology during matches.
Fans and cricket analysts have joined the conversation, with many agreeing that errors of this nature undermine the spirit of the game and put unnecessary pressure on teams during critical moments.
As the IPL season heads towards its climax, calls for improving the decision review system and umpiring standards continue to grow louder.
