LATEST SPORTS NEWS

Sydney Thunder Vs Melbourne Stars: Controversy strikes after Tom Curran’s claimed catch overturned in BBL

He empathized with the third umpire’s difficult task, highlighting the increased scrutiny and frequency with which these close calls are overturned.

Published

2 years ago

January 22, 2025

[email protected]

A controversial decision overshadowed a rain-shortened Big Bash League match between the Sydney Thunder and the Melbourne Stars on Wednesday night. The centre of the controversy was a stunning catch by Melbourne Stars fielder Tom Curran that was overturned by the third umpire, giving Sydney Thunder batsman Matthew Gilkes a reprieve and igniting a debate about the complexities of close catching decisions in modern cricket.

The incident occurred in the fourth over. Gilkes, seemingly caught behind by Curran’s diving effort at cover, was initially given out by the on-field umpire. The soft signal suggested a clean catch, but a review initiated by the Thunder revealed a crucial detail: the ball appeared to brush the turf before being securely grasped by Curran. Third umpire Michael Graham-Smith, after meticulous examination of replays, overturned the on-field decision, much to the chagrin of the Stars.

The decision sparked immediate commentary. Legendary Australian cricketer Adam Gilchrist, providing analysis on Fox Cricket, highlighted the subjectivity inherent in such calls. He observed that the interpretation often depends on the perspective of the viewer – players and commentators alike – and that even if the catch appeared initially clean, the slightest contact with the ground is enough for the third umpire to rule it not out. Gilchrist pointed out a trend of these close catches being overturned this season across all formats of the game.

The controversy wasn’t confined to the immediate aftermath of the decision. During a lightning delay that shortened the match from 20 to 19 overs, Melbourne Stars batsman Hilton Cartwright offered his perspective.

He noted that the issue had even been a topic of conversation between himself and teammate Peter Handscomb the previous night. Cartwright conceded that while the ball undeniably touched the ground, the crucial point lies in whether Curran’s fingers were also beneath the turf at the moment of contact—an aspect obscured by the grass and extremely difficult to definitively ascertain from video replays.

He empathized with the third umpire’s difficult task, highlighting the increased scrutiny and frequency with which these close calls are overturned.

Gilkes, given a second chance on 22, added another six runs before eventually being dismissed for 28. Oliver Davies (36) and Sam Billings (24) were other significant contributors as the Thunder posted 7/135 from their revised 19 overs.

The Thunder’s victory now sets up a crucial semi-final against the Sydney Sixers at the SCG on Friday night, with a spot in the Big Bash final against the Hobart Hurricanes on the line. The match, however, will be remembered as much for the controversial catch that sparked a debate about the application of technology and the challenges of interpreting close calls in the fast-paced world of Twenty20 cricket.

Cricket news

India beat Pakistan by 19 runs to win Asian Games cricket gold

India beat Pakistan by 19 runs in the Asian Games 2026 men’s cricket final to retain the gold medal in the competition.

Published

2 weeks ago

October 3, 2026

APNLive Desk

India defeated Pakistan by 19 runs in the men’s cricket final at the Asian Games 2026 on Saturday to retain the gold medal.

India posted 211 for six after being sent in to bat, before restricting Pakistan to 192 for six in their 20 overs. The victory gave India their second successive Asian Games gold medal in men’s cricket.

India post 211 in final

India’s batting was led by Abhishek Sharma, who scored 61 off 28 balls, while Tilak Varma contributed 51 off 22 balls.

The two batters provided the momentum as India reached 211 for six from their 20 overs.

India captain Shreyas Iyer had won the toss and elected to bat first in the final.

Pakistan fall 19 runs short

Pakistan’s chase was anchored by Hasan Nawaz, who made 96 from 51 balls. Saim Ayub added 29 from 22 balls, but Pakistan finished on 192 for six after 20 overs.

India’s Axar Patel and Washington Sundar each took two wickets as Pakistan fell short of the target.

The result secured the gold medal for India, while Pakistan finished with silver. Sri Lanka won the bronze medal after defeating Bangladesh in the bronze-medal match.

India retain Asian Games cricket title

The victory marked India’s second consecutive men’s cricket gold medal at the Asian Games. India had also won the men’s cricket gold at the Hangzhou edition.

India’s victory over Pakistan also completed a gold-medal double for the country in cricket at the 2026 Asian Games, after the women’s team won the women’s cricket final earlier in the competition.

India News

MK Stalin attacks Vijay government over hindi signboard in Tamil Nadu

MK Stalin criticised the Tamil Nadu government over Hindi lettering on a State Highway signboard and warned the Vijay-led administration against interfering with the state’s two-language policy.

Published

2 weeks ago

October 2, 2026

APNLive Desk

The use of Hindi on a highway signboard in Tamil Nadu has triggered a political row, with DMK chief MK Stalin criticising the Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government over the issue.

The controversy centres on a State Highway signboard that displayed place names in Tamil, English and Hindi. The board was installed on the Alwarthirunagari-Valliyoor State Highway 93 route through Sathankulam in Thoothukudi district.

Stalin objected to the inclusion of Hindi, saying Tamil Nadu has long opposed what he described as attempts to impose Hindi and warning the state government against altering its established two-language policy.

He questioned whether the use of Hindi on the signboard represented the kind of change promised by the TVK government. Stalin also urged the administration not to interfere with Tamil Nadu’s language policy.

Hindi removed from signboard

Following the controversy, the Hindi lettering was removed from the signboard. The state government also suspended two officials from the Highways Department over the matter and initiated departmental action against them.

According to officials, the Assistant Divisional Engineer and Assistant Engineer associated with the project had failed to inform higher authorities about the inclusion of Hindi on the board.

The Tamil Nadu government has said that the use of Hindi on the State Highways Department signboard was against the state’s two-language policy and warned that strict action would be taken against officials violating the policy.

Stalin targets Vijay government

Stalin also stepped up his criticism of the TVK administration, describing it as a “Reels government” and alleging that it was responding to social media trends involving influencers from northern states.

His comments came amid a wider political debate in Tamil Nadu over the state’s established Tamil-English two-language policy and the use of Hindi in government-related signage.

The latest controversy has therefore brought the language policy issue back into focus, with the DMK questioning the TVK government’s handling of the Hindi signboard and the state administration taking action against the officials concerned.

MK Stalin has criticised the Vijay-led Tamil Nadu government over Hindi appearing on a State Highway signboard. The Hindi lettering was later removed, while two Highways Department officials were suspended and departmental action was initiated.

Cricket news

Jasprit Bumrah becomes first Indian to play T20Is in 13 countries

Jasprit Bumrah became the first Indian to play T20I cricket in 13 different countries after featuring against Sri Lanka in Japan.

Published

2 weeks ago

October 1, 2026

APNLive Desk

Jasprit Bumrah added another milestone to his international career on Thursday after taking the field for India against Sri Lanka in the Asian Games 2026 men’s cricket semifinal in Japan.

Bumrah’s appearance at Nishin made him the first Indian to play T20I cricket in 13 different countries, according to the report. He moved ahead of former India captains Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, along with Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who have each played T20Is in 12 countries.

Bumrah’s 13-country T20I record

Before playing in Japan, Bumrah had represented India in T20Is in 12 other countries — India, Australia, Bangladesh, England, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, Sri Lanka, the UAE, the United States, West Indies and Zimbabwe.

His appearance in Japan took the tally to 13. Kohli, Rohit and Bhuvneshwar had played in all of those countries except Japan, leaving Bumrah alone at the top of the list.

Kohli and Rohit cannot add to their totals as both have retired from T20I cricket, according to the source.

Bumrah shines against Sri Lanka

Bumrah also made an immediate impact in his first T20I appearance in Japan. He claimed two wickets in his opening over against Sri Lanka and finished with figures of 2/7 in two overs.

India went on to dismiss Sri Lanka for 45 in 9.5 overs and won the semifinal by 124 runs to book a place in the Asian Games 2026 men’s cricket final.

The result set up an India-Pakistan gold-medal clash, scheduled for October 3.

Jasprit Bumrah has become the first Indian to play T20I cricket in 13 different countries. His appearance against Sri Lanka in Japan took him past Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who have played T20Is in 12 countries each.