Fact Check- Did Umpire Anil Chaudhary Count Sai Sudharsan’s Dismissal Unfair? – Fact Check: Did Umpire Anil Chaudhary Call Sai Sudharsan’s Dismissal Unfair?

The Controversy Surrounding Sai Sudharsan’s Dismissal

The high-stakes Qualifier 1 of the IPL 2026 between Gujarat Titans (GT) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on May 26, 2026, at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala was packed with high drama. However, nothing triggered more post-match debate than the unusual dismissal of GT opener Sai Sudharsan. Handed a massive chase of 255 runs, GT’s hopes were heavily pinned on a flying start. While Sudharsan looked dangerous, his innings ended in a freak hit-wicket incident, initiating a batting collapse from which the Titans could never recover.

Shortly after the match, cricket enthusiasts on social media went into overdrive when a video of veteran umpire Anil Chaudhary began circulating. In the video, Chaudhary is seen explaining the nuances of the hit-wicket law, leading many fans to believe that he was calling Sudharsan’s dismissal illegal and unfair. But did the seasoned umpire actually criticize the official decision made during the qualifier?

How Did Sai Sudharsan Get Out?

The incident occurred on the second delivery of the third over during Gujarat Titans’ run chase. Facing RCB’s Jacob Duffy, Sai Sudharsan anticipated a short-of-a-length delivery, turning quickly to execute a powerful pull shot over the mid-wicket area to secure a boundary.

The left-handed batter played the shot with great intent, but as he completed his follow-through, the bat slipped completely out of his grasp. The bat flew backward and bounced directly onto the stumps, dislodging the bails. Unaware of the disaster behind him, Sudharsan had already taken off for a run before turning around to see his stumps dismantled. He had to make the long walk back to the pavilion for 14 runs off 9 deliveries, leaving his team in a precarious position.

The Viral Video of Umpire Anil Chaudhary Explained

In the aftermath of the wicket, a video of former international umpire Anil Chaudhary quickly went viral. In the footage, Chaudhary discusses the complexities of Law 35.2, which regulates hit-wicket scenarios.

In the clip, Chaudhary says: “Hello, everyone. There is a video coming which is related to the hit wicket where the batter has completed his shot and his cap has fallen on the stumps and the bails have come off. According to the law 35.2, which is related to the hit-wicket dismissal, if any batter-related material falls on the stumps after he completes a shot, then it won’t be a hit-wicket. Even in this one, he has completed his shot, and then the material has fallen on the stumps, which means he will not be out.”

Many fans quickly mapped these comments to Sudharsan’s dismissal, claiming that since the GT opener had finished his stroke before the bat hit the stumps, the umpire had declared the decision unfair.

Fact Check: Is the Viral Video Related to Sai Sudharsan?

The claim that Anil Chaudhary called Sai Sudharsan’s dismissal unfair is completely false. Social media users and fact-checkers quickly pointed out that Chaudhary’s video was recorded well before this match and was in response to a completely different fan query regarding a cap falling onto the stumps.

The two scenarios are fundamentally different under cricket’s governing laws. While a cap falling after the completion of a shot is protected under specific clauses, a player’s bat dislodging the bails during the stroke or immediate movement after the stroke is a clear-cut dismissal.

What Do the MCC Laws Say About Hit Wicket?

To understand why Sai Sudharsan was correctly given out, we must look directly at the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) Law 35.1 regarding “Out Hit Wicket”:

• 35.1.1: A batsman is out hit wicket if the stumps are dislodged by the batsman or his bat while the ball is played and the bowler is in position to bowl.
• 35.1.1.1: This applies when preparing to play the ball or while the ball is in play.
• 35.1.1.2: It also applies when running for the first run immediately after playing or hitting the ball.
• 35.1.1.3: When running for the first run, if the ball has not been attempted, in the opinion of the umpire, immediately after the batsman has faced the ball.
• 35.1.1.4: When attempting a second or repeat shot to protect the stumps under Law 34.3 (ball coming into contact with the bat twice).

Additionally, Law 35.1.2 states that if the batsman knocks down the stumps in any of the specified ways before the bowler is in position to bowl, the umpire shall declare a dead ball.

In Sai Sudharsan’s case, the bat slipped from his hands during the immediate follow-through of playing the ball, making it a clear violation of Law 35.1.1.1 and 35.1.1.2. The decision by the on-field and TV umpires was absolutely correct according to the laws of the game.

RCB Dominates to Reach the IPL 2026 Final

The dismissal of Sudharsan set the tone for a tough night for the Gujarat Titans. Earlier in the match, GT captain Shubman Gill had won the toss and opted to bowl, a decision that backfired as Royal Challengers Bengaluru unleashed an absolute batting masterclass.

RCB posted a monumental 254/5 in their 20 overs—the highest score ever recorded in an IPL playoff match. Rajat Patidar was the undisputed star of the show, blasting an unbeaten 93* off just 33 deliveries, featuring nine massive sixes and five boundaries. Strong contributions from Virat Kohli (43), Krunal Pandya (43), and a quick-fire cameo from Jitesh Sharma (15* off 5 balls) pushed the target out of GT’s reach.

In reply, Gujarat Titans folded for 162 runs despite a fighting 68 from Rahul Tewatia and a brief 29 from Jos Buttler. RCB’s bowling attack was clinical, led by Jacob Duffy’s 3/39, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Rasikh Salam, and Krunal Pandya picked up two wickets each. With a comprehensive 92-run victory, RCB booked their ticket to the IPL 2026 final in Ahmedabad on May 31.

Another Opportunity for Gujarat Titans

Despite the crushing defeat in Qualifier 1, all hope is not lost for the Gujarat Titans. Thanks to their top-two finish in the league stage, they will get a second chance to reach the final via Qualifier 2.

GT will travel to Mullanpur to face the winner of the highly anticipated Eliminator match between Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Rajasthan Royals (RR). The Eliminator is scheduled for May 27, 2026, while Qualifier 2 will take place on May 29, 2026, at the same venue. The winner of Qualifier 2 will progress to face RCB in the grand finale.