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The third Test match between India and New Zealand at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai witnessed a controversial dismissal that sparked heated debate and raised questions about the consistency of umpiring decisions in cricket. The incident involved star Indian wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant, who was declared caught 'bat-pad' by the third umpire, a decision that many, including Indian captain Rohit Sharma, deemed questionable.
The drama unfolded during India's chase of 147 runs, with Pant looking in fine form and keeping India's hopes alive. He was dismissed by New Zealand bowler Ajaz Patel, who bowled a full, turning delivery that Pant attempted to defend. The ball appeared to pass close to Pant's inside edge, with the keeper, Tom Blundell, diving forward to claim a catch. While the on-field umpire remained unconvinced, New Zealand skipper Tom Latham, after a moment of hesitation, opted for a review.
The technology used for the review, UltraEdge, showed a spike when the ball hit Pant's pad and another spike when the ball neared his bat. This led to ambiguity, as it couldn't conclusively determine whether the ball had indeed hit the bat before the pad. Despite Pant's vehement protests, the third umpire overturned the on-field decision and ruled him out. Pant's frustration was evident as he engaged in a heated conversation with the on-field umpires before making the long walk back to the dressing room.
Rohit Sharma, in the post-match press conference, expressed his disappointment over the controversial dismissal, calling it 'unfortunate'. He emphasized that the umpire's on-field decision should have stood, as there wasn't conclusive evidence to overturn it. He also pointed out the inconsistency in the application of the rules, with decisions often changing based on the team involved. Sharma highlighted the critical nature of Pant's dismissal, as he was looking good at the crease and seemed poised to guide India to victory. He lamented that the dismissal proved pivotal, as India subsequently lost their momentum and were bowled out soon after.
This incident has once again highlighted the complexities of using technology in cricket, particularly when it comes to close calls. While technology aims to enhance accuracy and reduce human error, it can also lead to ambiguity and controversial decisions. This incident sparked a debate about the need for clear guidelines and consistent application of the rules, with many calling for improvements to the DRS system to ensure fairer and more transparent decision-making in cricket.
Source: Rohit Sharma On Rishabh Pant's Controversial Dismissal: 'If There Is No Conclusive Evidence...'