IPL 2025: Fans express outrage as Mitchell Starc’s no-ball during DC vs RR reignites umpiring double standards debate

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season has found itself in the middle of a fresh umpiring controversy after Delhi Capitals’ Mitchell Starc was penalised for a backfoot no-ball during the Super Over against Rajasthan Royals at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi.

Starc, who was instrumental in dragging the match to a Super Over with his outstanding final over, was surprisingly called for a no-ball on the fourth delivery of the Super Over – this time, not for overstepping, but for breaching the return crease with his back foot. The moment quickly escalated on social media, with many fans zooming into the visuals and pointing out how Starc’s back foot had landed on or slightly outside the return crease. The umpires promptly ruled it a no-ball, which added an extra run to Rajasthan’s tally and gifted them a free hit. While Starc eventually conceded just 11 runs in that Super Over, which Delhi chased down in just four balls, the debate was far from over.

Despite the controversy, the Super Over clash between DC and RR proved to be a sensational contest. Delhi, after putting up a solid 188/5 in their 20 overs, saw Rajasthan match their total, ending at 188/4. In the Super Over, Starc came back to bowl again and held Rajasthan to just 11 runs, despite the contentious no-ball. KL Rahul and Tristan Stubbs then finished the job clinically for DC, scoring 12 in just four balls, handing the Capitals their fifth win in six matches and pushing them to the top of the table.

Also READ: Breakdown of Mitchell Starc’s IPL salary since debut

As the Mitchell Starc no-ball call gained traction, fans on X (formerly Twitter) started digging up footage from previous matches, and one name that went viral was Mumbai Indians‘ uncapped spinner Vignesh Puthur. Several posts showcased screenshots of Puthur delivering back-to-back balls where his back foot appeared to land well outside the return crease.

The visuals clearly showed his foot skimming or stepping over the return crease without any call from the on-field umpires, sparking allegations of inconsistency. While some fans argued that Starc’s delivery deserved to be penalized as per the rulebook, others questioned the selective application of rules, alleging that umpires had turned a blind eye during Puthur’s over for Mumbai Indians. The issue snowballed, with several viral posts comparing the two incidents side by side.

Here’s how fans reacted:

No ball by Starc Fair ball by Vignesh pic.twitter.com/huPwEtJh28

— TukTuk Academy (@TukTuk_Academy) April 17, 2025

Vignesh Puthur : No Ball Not Given 🔥
Mitchell Starc : No Ball Given 😅

The OG Ambani Indians Are Back 💙 MI Easily Making Through Playoffs From Here 🔥 pic.twitter.com/9SZpJenJyC

— Junaid Khan (@JunaidKhanation) April 17, 2025

Seriously asking if Starc’s one was a no ball, why these two balls by Vigesh Puthur wasn’t given no ball?#IPL2025 pic.twitter.com/ooFrkRDuKB

— KirikeT (@BhartiyaDesiFan) April 17, 2025

So, Vignesh Puthur bowled a no-ball and the umpires said nothing, but when it was Mitchell Starc, they were all over it. Hmm.

— Sharon Solomon (@BSharan_6) April 17, 2025

The umpiring and the technology continue to remain farcical in the IPL. No one has even noticed the no-balls that Vignesh Puthur has bowled, and I could only wonder what the 3rd umpire has been doing?

— Jeet (Men’s Cricket) (@Jeetv27) April 9, 2025

No ball by Starc Fair ball by Vignesh#IPL2025 pic.twitter.com/4Aq3s3CPGZ

— RO_KO fanclub🏏 (@MohammadFa83199) April 17, 2025

THAT is not a NO ball, IPL CHEATS

— Akki (@CrickPotato) April 16, 2025

What a shit umpiring levels in IPL , No doubt its a MI player https://t.co/dpFVHFMOQc

— Keshav Altx (@KohliGOAT82x) April 16, 2025

We lost our only game to Robbers, can’t do anything about it so we are still unbeatable in my books. https://t.co/6YSH7MJh3o pic.twitter.com/OxI82xqcYP

— JFM SSN 🌟🌟 (@KAPPitals) April 17, 2025