‘No argument’ as experts back Bangladeshi umpire Saikat on Jaiswal decision
Experts have backed Bangladeshi third umpire Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid Saikat following his controversial decision to dismiss Yashasvi Jaiswal during Australia's 184-run win over India in the fourth and penultimate Test in Melbourne on Monday.
With India fighting to save the Test at 140-6 in the final session -- with the winning target of 340 out of reach -- Jaiswal attempted to pull a short ball from Pat Cummins, resulting in a faint deflection to wicketkeeper Alex Carey. On-field umpire Joel Wilson ruled it not out, but Australia reviewed. Although Ultra Edge showed no contact, replays revealed a visible deflection. Sharfuddoula overturned the decision, citing the deflection as sufficient evidence to dismiss Jaiswal, who scored team-high 84.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. "I can the see the ball has made contact with the gloves. Joel, you need to change your decision," Sharfuddoula had said to on-field umpire Wilson.
"I can see the ball has made contact with the gloves. Joel, you need to change your decision."
And with that, Jaiswal is out! #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/biOQP4ZeDB
— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) December 30, 2024
Simon Taufel, a renowned former umpire from Australia, endorsed the decision.
"The third umpire did make the correct decision in the end. With the technology protocols, we do have a hierarchy of redundancy, and the umpire sees a clear deflection off the bat; there is no need to go any further and use any other form of technology to prove the case."
Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting also backed the ruling.
"They can make of it what they like. It clearly hit the glove, and I caught it at the time. Jaiswal actually started to walk. Snicko hasn't proved it to be correct. But the umpire picked up the deflection and froze it where the ball was on the end of the glove.
"As far as I'm concerned, there's no argument whatsoever," Ponting said.
Former India player and coach Ravi Shastri also said while commentating that he too had felt that the ball deflected off the bat.
Jaiswal's dismissal proved decisive as India collapsed, losing their final four wickets for just 15 runs to be bowled out for 155 at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground. Cummins, with figures of 3-28, led the Australian charge, giving the hosts a 2-1 series lead with one match to play in the Border-Gavaskar Test series.
Former India player Sunil Gavaskar, however, has raised concerns about the use of technology in the decision-making process, voicing the frustrations of Indian fans.
"If the evidence of the technology is not to be taken, why have it at all? That is something that would definitely be the query as far as the Indians are concerned," the India legend said.
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