Tempers flared during Friday's (May 2) IPL 2025 match between GT and SRH where Gujarat Titans captain Shubman Gill was involved in multiple heated arguments with umpires.
Gujarat Titans were put into bat by SRH and they continued in much the same vein as they have all season. Gill and Sai Sudharsan added 82 in the first six overs without losing a wicket. Sudharsan departed in the seventh over for 48 off 23, but was followed by Jos Buttler, who accompanied and then took over from Gill to make 64 off 37.
Gill argues with umpires, twice
Gill himself scored 76 off 38, his third consecutive fifty-plus score, before being run out in controversial fashion. Harshal Patel threw the ball from short fine as Heinrich Klaasen deflected the ball onto the stumps. There was contention over whether his gloves had broken the stumps or the ball. The TV umpire decided that the ball had indeed made contact with the stumps, ruling Gill out.
As the GT captain walked back, he engaged in heated discussion with the fourth umpire beyond the boundary, seemingly displeased at the decision.
Match 51, Gujarat Titans vs Sunrisers Hyderabad
vs
- Ball by ball Over
GT made 224-6 and did a good job in not letting SRH get away with a quick start. They lost their second wicket in the 10th over with the score reading 82-2. Klaasen then joined Abhishek Sharma and the two stitched a 57-run partnership for the third wicket before Abhishek was dismissed for 74 off 41 on the last ball of the 15th over. An over before his dismissal, Gill was involved in another heated argument with the umpires.
Abhishek was given not out by the on-field umpire in response to a lbw appeal in the 14th over. GT took a review and replays showed the impact to be umpire's call. The not out decision stood but Gill had a long animated chat with the on-field umpires. Abhishek was hit on his boot which required him to get medical attention. Gill's conversation with the umpires lasted almost the entire duration of the break. At one point, Abhishek stepped in to try and calm Gill down.
It isn't clear what exactly Gill's point was. Some believe it had to with the loss of a review, but GT got to keep their review since the impact was Umpire's Call.
None of that mattered in the end as GT secured a comfortable 38-run victory. In the post-match presentation, Gill talked down the arguments. "Little bit of a discussion between me and the umpire. Sometimes when you are giving your 110 per cent for the team, you are bound to show some emotions," he said.
Will Gill be sanctioned for arguing with umpires?
Gill could be in danger of having breached Article 2.8 of the IPL Code of Conduct, which deals with dissent at an umpire's decision. It includes the following clauses:
"(a) excessive, obvious disappointment with an Umpire’s decision;
(b) an obvious delay in resuming play or leaving the wicket;
(c) shaking the head;
(d) pointing or looking at the inside edge when given out LBW;
(e) pointing to the pad or rubbing the shoulder when caught behind;
(f) snatching the cap from the Umpire;
(g) requesting a referral to the TV Umpire (other than in the context of a legitimate request for a referral as may be permitted in such Match);
(h) arguing or entering into a prolonged discussion with the Umpire about his/her decision"
In Gill's case, clauses (a) and (h) could be applicable. The article also takes into consideration the following factors when assessing the breach:
"(i) whether the conduct contains an element of anger or abuse which is directed at the Umpire or the Umpire’s decision;
(ii) whether there is excessive delay in resuming play or leaving the wicket;
(iii) whether there is persistent re-reference to the incident over time."
The first condition was definitely met during each of Gill's arguments with the umpires during this game.
Also read: IPL 2025, full list of Code of Conduct breaches: Shreyas Iyer fined
If found guilty, he could be booked under a Level 1 or Level 2 offence, the sanctions for which can range from:
(i) Level 1 offence - Warning or fine of upto 25 per cent match of match fees, and one demerit point; or 26-50 per cent fine and two demerit points;
(ii) Level 2 offence - One suspension point or fine of 50-100 per cent of match fees, and three demerit points; or two suspension points and four demerit points.
Each suspension point equates to being suspended for one game. While it's possible that Gill could be sanctioned for his dissent, it's unlikely that the sanction would be strong enough to warrant a suspension.
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