Controversy Erupts as Haryana Steelers Refuse Handshake After Referee’s Final-Second Decision
In a dramatic finish at the SDAT Multi Purpose Indoor Stadium in Chennai on Monday night, Haryana Steelers found themselves at the center of a heated controversy following their narrow 38-37 defeat to Dabang Delhi. The defending champions’ anger reached boiling point when they refused to shake hands with their opponents after a disputed referee call in the match’s final moments.
The Final Second Drama
The match between the defending champions and the table-toppers delivered every bit of excitement expected from such a high-profile encounter. However, the real drama unfolded in the closing seconds when controversy struck over a time-remaining call. With the match hanging in the balance at 38-37, the Steelers refused to shake hands with Dabang Delhi players, displaying their frustration with what they believed was an unfair decision by the match officials.
The tension was clear as Haryana Steelers protested the referee’s no-time-remaining call that sealed their fate in the final tick of the clock. The split-second decision became the difference between victory and defeat, leaving the Steelers feeling robbed of a potential win.
Match Context and Build-up
The clash between Haryana Steelers and Dabang Delhi was always going to be special. Delhi entered the match as table-toppers with seven wins from eight games, while the defending champions Steelers were looking to extend their four-match winning streak.
Ashu Malik’s brilliant performance was the highlight for Delhi, as he scored a Super 10 in his milestone 100th PKL appearance. His leadership and raid points kept Delhi in control for most of the match. On the other hand, Vinay’s 18 points and Jaideep’s High Five nearly gave Steelers the victory they desperately wanted.
The Controversial Finish
The match saw multiple lead changes, with both teams fighting tooth and nail. Delhi had taken a commanding lead earlier but Steelers mounted a dramatic comeback in the final 10 minutes. The defending champions showed their fighting spirit as they reduced the deficit to just two points with 90 seconds remaining.
Vinay’s multi-point raid brought the match level, but Delhi struck back immediately through Neeraj Narwal. The final moments became a battle of nerves, with every second counting toward the final outcome.
Then came the moment that changed everything. As the clock ticked down to zero, the referee’s decision on the time remaining became the focal point of controversy. The Steelers believed they still had time left to mount one final attack, but the officials decided otherwise.
Referee Decisions Under Scrutiny
This incident adds to the growing list of PKL referee controversies that have plagued Season 12. Earlier in the season, there were similar disputes involving other teams, with coaches and players questioning the standard of officiating.
Pro Kabaddi League referees underwent intensive training before the season, with 45 officials, including 23 newcomers, participating in a 12-day camp in Hyderabad. The training focused on the new tiebreaker format and rule changes, yet controversial decisions continue to surface.
The league introduced several changes this season, including modifications to the tiebreaker system where every tied match would be decided by five raids per team. However, situations like the Steelers vs Delhi match highlight ongoing challenges with match officiating.
Team Reactions and Aftermath
The Haryana Steelers’ refusal to shake hands was a clear sign of their displeasure with the match officials. Such displays of protest are rare in Pro Kabaddi League, making this incident particularly significant.
Coach Manpreet Singh and his team felt that the referee’s call in the final seconds was unfair. Their protest extended beyond the regular post-match formalities, showing how deeply they felt wronged by the decision.
Dabang Delhi, meanwhile, celebrated their narrow victory that helped them maintain their position at the top of the PKL points table. However, the manner of their win was overshadowed by the controversy that followed.
Impact on the Season
This controversy comes at a crucial time in PKL Season 12. Both teams are fighting for top positions in the league table, and every point matters. The 38-37 scoreline shows just how close these matches can be, making referee decisions even more important.
The incident raises questions about the consistency of officiating in the league. While PKL officials received extensive training before the season, situations like this suggest that more work needs to be done to ensure fair play.
For Haryana Steelers, this defeat was particularly painful as they were trying to defend their title. The controversial finish will likely fuel their determination in upcoming matches, while Dabang Delhi will want to focus on their performance rather than the controversy.
