Former Indian cricketers Virender Sehwag and Navjot Singh Sidhu have weighed in on the controversial dismissal of Sunrisers Hyderabad batter Ishan Kishan during the IPL 2025 match against Mumbai Indians. The incident, which took place at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, has sparked debate among cricket experts and fans alike.
During the third over of Sunrisers Hyderabad’s innings, Kishan attempted to glance a leg-side delivery from Deepak Chahar but failed to make proper contact. In a surprising turn of events, he walked off the field despite no appeal from the Mumbai Indians players. The umpire, Vinod Seshan, initially signaled the delivery as a wide but changed his decision upon noticing Kishan’s departure, raising his finger to declare him out. Replays later confirmed that there was no contact between Kishan’s bat or body and the ball, leaving many puzzled over his decision to walk off voluntarily.
Sehwag, known for his candid opinions, criticized Kishan’s actions, calling it a clear case of “brain fade.” He remarked, “Ruk toh jaa. Umpire bhi paise le rahe hai” (Stop at least and wait for the umpire to make his decision. He is also getting paid for his job). Sehwag emphasized that Kishan should have waited for the umpire’s call rather than making the decision himself.
On the other hand, Sidhu took a different stance, blaming the umpire for his role in the dismissal. He questioned the legitimacy of an umpire ruling a player out without an appeal from the fielding side, stating, “Buying trouble is as easy as pie, but the carrying charges run pretty high … have you ever seen an umpire rule someone out without an appeal?”.
Kishan’s dismissal has added to his struggles in IPL 2025, as he continues to endure a rough patch with the bat. Since his century in Sunrisers Hyderabad’s season opener, he has managed only 33 runs in his last seven innings, averaging just 5.5.
With differing opinions from cricketing legends, the debate over Kishan’s dismissal continues to stir discussions among fans and analysts. As Sunrisers Hyderabad look to bounce back from their sixth defeat of the season, the incident serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of the sport.
Stay tuned for more updates on IPL 2025 and the latest cricket news.
