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The third Test between India and New Zealand in Mumbai ended with a controversial dismissal of Rishabh Pant that left the Indian captain Rohit Sharma bewildered. Pant's dismissal, deemed out by the third umpire Paul Reiffel despite the on-field umpire ruling him not out, ignited a debate about the use of technology in cricket. The decision ultimately proved crucial as India went on to lose the match by 25 runs, thus succumbing to a 0-3 series sweep against New Zealand.
The incident unfolded in the 22nd over of India's chase. Pant, attempting to hit a delivery from Ajaz Patel, missed the ball but made contact with his pad as it ballooned up towards wicketkeeper Tom Blundell. The on-field umpire, Richard Illingworth, deemed it 'not out', but New Zealand sought a review. UltraEdge, the technology used to detect bat-ball contact, picked up a 'spike' at the point of contact, which suggested a possible edge. However, Pant's bat also appeared to have made contact with his pad, something he repeatedly pointed out to the on-field umpires. Despite this, Reiffel, after reviewing the replays, overturned Illingworth's decision, much to the dismay of the Indian team and fans.
Rohit Sharma expressed his confusion in the post-match press conference, stating that he didn't understand how the decision was overturned. He emphasized that if there was no conclusive evidence, the on-field umpire's decision should stand. The dismissal, he added, proved to be a turning point in the match, as Pant was looking in fine form and his wicket triggered a collapse, leading to India's defeat. Former South African captain AB de Villiers also weighed in on the controversy, highlighting the gray area in using technology in cricket. He questioned the reliability of UltraEdge, arguing that it might pick up noise from bat-pad contact, thus creating a potential for misinterpretations, especially in crucial moments like Pant's dismissal. De Villiers advocated for consistent application of rules and urged the International Cricket Council (ICC) to address this issue. New Zealand captain Tom Latham, while admitting that the decision was ultimately out of their control, revealed that the close-in fielders had heard two noises, leading them to seek a review.
The Pant dismissal incident brings into focus the complex relationship between technology and cricket. While technology aims to enhance accuracy and fairness in umpiring decisions, its occasional misinterpretations can have significant consequences. The need for clear and consistent application of rules and technologies remains paramount, particularly when dealing with close calls that can decide the fate of matches. The incident serves as a reminder that the use of technology in cricket is a double-edged sword, offering both advantages and potential pitfalls that require constant evaluation and refinement.
Source: Don't know how that Pant decision was overturned: Rohit Sharma