Sunrisers Hyderabad are reportedly preparing to raise concerns with the Board of Control for Cricket in India following a series of contentious moments in IPL 2026, with the latest incident occurring during their clash against Lucknow Super Giants in Hyderabad.
The match, held at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, saw Lucknow Super Giants secure a narrow five-wicket victory while chasing a target of 157. The game went down to the final over, with Rishabh Pant finishing the chase with a boundary off Jaydev Unadkat.
However, the moment quickly became controversial. As the winning shot raced towards the boundary, LSG pacer Avesh Khan, positioned near the dugout, appeared to make contact with the ball before it had clearly crossed the rope. This action triggered debate among fans and analysts, with many questioning whether the act should have resulted in penalty runs for Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Discussions online suggested that certain cricketing laws, including those related to dead ball and unfair play, might be applicable. However, based on match conditions, officials are unlikely to classify the incident as deliberate interference, especially since no fielders were actively attempting to stop the ball at that moment.
Despite that, the situation has added to a growing list of concerns for the Hyderabad franchise. Reports indicate that the team management is dissatisfied with multiple umpiring decisions earlier in the tournament as well.
One such moment involved Heinrich Klaasen’s dismissal in the opening match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, where he was caught in a decision that raised questions. Another incident includes Abhishek Sharma’s dismissal against Kolkata Knight Riders, where doubts were expressed over the legitimacy of the catch taken in the deep.
Abhishek had also shown visible disagreement with the decision during the match and was subsequently penalized under the IPL Code of Conduct. While these decisions remain final and cannot be reversed, the accumulation of such moments has prompted Sunrisers Hyderabad to consider formally addressing the matter with the BCCI.
So far in IPL 2026, Sunrisers Hyderabad have had a mixed run, registering one win and two losses. They suffered defeats against Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Lucknow Super Giants but managed to secure a victory over Kolkata Knight Riders.
The team will now look to shift focus back to on-field performance as they prepare for their upcoming match against Punjab Kings on April 11, while also seeking clarity on the officiating standards through official channels.