Umpire Sanjay Hazare removed from IPL after controversial call

Sanjay Hazare (R) was dropped from IPL matches by BCCI after his controversial call to not refer a run-out to third umpire

Umpire Sanjay Hazare has faced the axe from the Indian Premier League committee after he turned down a run-out appeal against Delhi Daredevils’ Kevin Pietersen during their encounter with Rajasthan Royals on May 3.

Hazare, 53, will not be umpiring any more matches for the rest of the tournament as made clear by IPL Chairman Ranjib Biswal. Biswal was quoted on ESPN Cricinfo saying, “He has been removed. There are many reasons.”

Hazare came under the spotlight after he shot down the appeal made against Pietersen who was ran out by Royals‘ keeper Sanju Samson without referring to the third umpire, even though it was quite evident from the TV replays that the English batsman was out of his crease.

Replays clearly showed that Pietersen should have been out:

Hazare, however, admitted his blunder. “I told him [the match referee] the same thing. It was a human error. Once I had made the decision I could not correct it,” he told Cricinfo.

Hazare has officiated in 17 matches in the Indian Premier League.

Kevin Pietersen was just superbly run out by Sanju Samson and the umpire didn’t even review. KP survives. #DDvRR #IPL pic.twitter.com/ullqW6dkiK

— Freddie Wilde (@fwildecricket) May 3, 2014