Batting great Sunil Gavaskar questioned the efficiency of the ball-tracking technology after Joe Root was saved by an umpire’s call on Day 4 of the third Test between England and India at Lord’s, London. Gavaskar criticised both the technology and Paul Reiffel’s decision after Root was given not out following an LBW appeal from Mohammed Siraj.
The incident occurred in the 38th over of England’s second innings, when Siraj got a delivery to jag back and strike the pads. He went up with a loud appeal, supported vocally by the entire slip cordon. Shubman Gill, who had hesitated to use the DRS on a couple of earlier occasions in Siraj’s over, was convinced this time and backed his bowler. | Lord’s Test Day 4 Score and Updates |
Replays showed that Root had shuffled across significantly and was struck in line. At the point of impact, the leg stump was clearly visible, raising India’s hopes of a breakthrough.
However, the ball-tracking system predicted that the delivery would just clip the leg stump. Root had stepped down the pitch, likely trying to counter any movement off the surface. As it turned out, the decision stayed with the on-field umpire as only a fraction of the ball was shown to be hitting the stumps-resulting in the dreaded ‘umpire’s call.’
Captain Gill and Siraj were visibly shocked and dismayed. Siraj punched the air in frustration, as India were going through a rough patch where luck seemed to be deserting them.
NO WAY! GAVASKAR REACTS
Gavaskar, who was commentating at the time, did not hold back in his assessment. He questioned the reliability of the ball-tracking data, suggesting that it showed exaggerated movement.
“You’re saying it was going to kiss the leg stump? There’s no way. It was knocking the leg stump off. The only good thing is that India have not lost the review,” Gavaskar said.
Siraj was convinced he had claimed his third wicket of the day, only to be denied by the technology.
“I am flabbergasted. Having looked at that replay, I thought it was crashing into the inside part of the leg stump. Watching it in real time, I couldn’t believe it was missing,” former England batter Jonathan Trott added on air.
India were in a phase where fortune seemed to favour England. After snaring four English wickets in the first session-including World No. 1 batter Harry Brook-India found themselves frustrated as Root and Ben Stokes added 67 runs for the fifth wicket. Despite several close calls, the rub of the green consistently went England’s way.
However, just 30 minutes before Tea, Washington Sundar finally broke through, bowling Joe Root for 40. England slipped to 154 for 5, with captain Ben Stokes and in-form Jamie Smith at the crease.
Earlier in the day, Indian pacers came out firing. Jasprit Bumrah troubled both edges with his unrelenting accuracy, while Siraj was in peak rhythm, picking up the wickets of Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope.
Nitish Kumar Reddy chipped in with the wicket of Zak Crawley, who continued his poor run in the series. Harry Brook looked threatening with a counter-attacking innings, but fell to Akash Deep while attempting to sweep the fast bowler.
– Ends