New Delhi: The IPL 2026 clash between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Gujarat Titans at the Narendra Modi Stadium generated plenty of excitement, but also controversy, as Gujarat Titans cruised to a four-wicket victory. was the biggest talking point of the night. Rajat Patidar’s dismissal, caught by Jason Holder, sent shockwaves through the RCB camp.What exactly happened?In the eighth over, Patidar, batting on 19, attempted a pull shot off Arshad Khan. Holder reacted quickly, diving forward to complete a low catch, while Kagiso Rabada was also closing in on the ball, resulting in a near collision between the two fielders.Replays of the incident appeared inconclusive as to whether the ball had touched the ground.Despite the uncertainty, the third umpire upheld the on-field decision after a review, and Patidar was dismissed.The decision left the RCB camp visibly unhappy at a crucial stage of the match.Not only the players, Virat Kohli And coach Andy Flower was also visibly frustrated, engaged in discussions with the umpires.What does the law say?The laws of cricket state that a catch is only complete when a fielder has full control of both the ball and its movement, meaning the ball must not touch the ground while the fielder is still sliding or gaining control.Law 33.3 states: “A catch is complete only when the fielder has ‘complete control of the ball and its movement’. Before then the ball cannot touch the ground.”Meanwhile, Law 33.2.2 adds that a catch is fair if “the ball is caught in a fielder’s hand or hands, even if the hand catching the ball is touching the ground, or is hugging the body, or is lodged in the fielder’s outer protective equipment, or accidentally remains in the fielder’s clothing.”Why was Patidar expelled?After reviewing the replay, the third umpire concluded that part of the holder’s hand was keeping the ball off the ground, although it could not be clearly seen.With the decision heavily criticized by fans on social media, former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin explained why the catch was ultimately deemed fair and why the umpire’s call stood.“Jason Holder’s hands are twice as big as mine. In his hands, the ball almost disappears. So, if you guys can see the ball through the gap in his fingers, that doesn’t mean the ball hit the floor. Maybe he rolled it. Maybe the ball didn’t touch the ground,” Ashwin said of Billy on his YouTube channel.
