The IPL 2026 match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Gujarat Titans (GT) may be over, with the four-wicket victory in Ahmedabad, but the debate over Rajat Patidar’s controversial dismissal, courtesy of Jason Holder’s brilliant catch, is far from over.
Cricket fans and experts are sharing their views on the umpire’s decision, and now former Indian batsman and well-known commentator, akash choprahas shared his opinion on the drama.
Jason Holder-Rajat Patidar catches drama and refuses to settle
The controversy broke out when Arshad Khan He bowled a short ball and Rajat Patidar missed the timing of his shot. The ball headed towards fine leg, where Jason Holder ran and took a diving catch. At first glance, the catch looked clean, but the replay confused everyone.
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It looked like the ball hit the ground as Holder slid. Still, the third umpire gave it to Patidar and Aakash Chopra feels the decision was wrong. He explained that a catch is only complete when the player has complete control and the ball must not touch the ground at all.
Aakash Chopra questions referee’s decision
Since Holder was still moving and sliding, the cricket expert believes the catch was not completed properly and openly said that the umpire made a “mistake” in his opinion.
Aakash Chopra said in a video on his YouTube channel: “In my opinion, it was not a catch. Law 33.3 has a clear distinction: once the ball reaches your hand, you must have full control of the ball and your body, and until then, the ball must not touch the ground. Your hand can touch the ground, but the ball cannot.”
The commentator added: “Jason Holder took the catch and slipped. When you slide, your body is still in motion and you are not in full control. When he was sliding, the ball had hit the ground and by then it was not dead. The catch had not been completed. I felt the umpire made a mistake there. It should have been given, not in.”
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Aakash Chopra orders RCB to continue aggressive style
Despite having an explosive batting unit, the RCB he bowled just 155 runs in 19.2 overs, with Arshad Khan starring in the three-wicket haul at the Narendra Modi Stadium. In response, the Gujarat Titans chased down the target in 16 overs to win the match by four wickets on April 30.
This batting collapse surprised many, but Chopra wants RCB to continue with the same aggressive model going forward in the ongoing IPL 2026. He explained: “Was it a concern for RCB to go all out? I would say it’s not a concern. If you bat at that pace, it will happen from time to time.”
He signed off by saying, “This could happen with SunRisers Hyderabad one day, where you are scoring 250 runs, and one day a 125-run match could come. That is a possibility. When you take so much risk, this could be a side effect sometimes. They will have to forget this game and just carry on in their merry way, because they are playing well. In fact, I liked Devdutt Padikkal’s innings.”