Watch: Controversy in NZ v Ind match sparks several debates:
Indian All-rounder Hardik Pandya was given out “bowled” in a debatable circumstance during the first ODI against New Zealand at Hyderabad. The TV umpire’s controversial decision stunned the cricketing world, as there was a clear gap between the ball and the bails.
In the first ODI against New Zealand, Shubhman Gill was steering India to a formidable total with his batting brilliance alongside Hardik Pandya. In the 40th over, when Daryl Mitchell came to bowl with Pandya at strike, on the third ball, Pandya went down on his back knee to steer a short-length off-stump ball, and a bail came off.
The on-field umpire referred to the TV television umpire KN Ananthapadmanabhan. Replay revealed that there was no played-on as the ball was a good inch and a half above the wickets, lodging into the gloves of wicketkeeper Tom Latham.
“As it crosses the stumps, at least an inch, inch and a half above the stumps” was Shastri’s verdict.
The ultra-edge also revealed no spike when the ball passed the bat which ruled the possibility of a caught behind. However, the third umpire gave it out as “bowled,” and Hardik Pandya had to walk back to the pavilion.
This controversial decision surprised former cricketers and fans, many of whom took to twitter to express their disappointment at the doubtable decision.
“Hardik robbed there,” former Indian batter Waseem Jaffar tweeted.
Interestingly, when Shubman Gill cut Michael Bracewell for two runs in the next over, bails came off, but this time it was clear that the bails were disturbed after contact from Tom Latham’s gloves. Many cricketers and fans used this incident to explain how bails were lit earlier in Pandya’s freak dismissal.
India had finished their innings on 349 courtesy of a brilliant double hundred from Shubhman Gill. The match ended with India winning the match by 13 runs.
