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The third and final Test match between India and New Zealand at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai witnessed a controversial dismissal of Indian wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant on day four, sparking debate among fans and experts alike. The incident involved a close call that raised questions about the efficacy and consistency of technology in determining outs.
Pant, who had earlier smashed Ajaz Patel for two boundaries and survived a DRS review, was eventually declared caught 'bat-pad' by the third umpire. The ball had passed close to his inside edge and popped up in the air, with New Zealand keeper Tom Blundell taking the catch. The decision was made despite the fact that UltraEdge showed a spike when the bat hit Pant’s pad, but also a spike with the ball being close to the bat. Pant argued his case, but the third umpire overturned the on-field umpire's call, sending Pant back to the dressing room.
Former South African captain AB de Villiers took to social media to express his doubts about the decision. He questioned the reliability of the technology and its consistency in making these calls. De Villiers pointed out that the ball passing the bat at the same time a batter hits his pad can create a confusing signal for the technology, making it difficult to determine if there was actual contact between bat and ball. He further questioned the absence of HotSpot, a technology that helps determine bat-ball contact, in the decision-making process.
De Villiers emphasized that there seemed to be doubt surrounding the dismissal and argued for a more conservative approach in such situations, urging the umpires to stay with the on-field call unless there is clear evidence of deviation from the initial judgment. This incident highlights the ongoing debate surrounding technology in cricket, with its limitations and inconsistencies constantly being scrutinized.
Pant's dismissal proved crucial in India's chase for victory. The team had stumbled to lunch at 92-6, with only Pant's half-century providing a glimmer of hope against New Zealand. India, needing 147 runs to avoid a 3-0 whitewash, had earlier slumped to 29-5 before Pant and Ravindra Jadeja briefly stemmed the tide. Despite their efforts, the team ultimately fell short, leaving New Zealand to secure a dominant series victory.
Source: Bat Or Pad? Third Umpire Gives Rishabh Pant Out, AB De Villiers Calls 'Controversy!'