Table of Contents
On Day 4 of the riveting second Test between India and England, the cricketing world witnessed a moment of high tension and controversy as Ravichandran Ashwin, the seasoned Indian spinner, was denied his 500th Test wicket due to the intricacies of the Decision Review System (DRS). The confusion that ensued not only bewildered the Indian team but also left commentators and fans grappling with the turn of events.
Ravichandran Ashwin vs Tom Hartley
The pivotal moment occurred on the last ball of the 63rd over, with England’s Tom Hartley attempting a daring reverse-sweep against Ashwin’s delivery from over the wicket. The extra bounce proved tricky, resulting in the ball making contact with Hartley’s arm and looping over the wicketkeeper. A spectacular diving catch by Rohit Sharma initially led to on-field celebrations as the Indian fielders believed they had witnessed Ashwin’s historic 500th Test wicket.
DRS drama unfolds: From celebrations to controversy
The jubilation was short-lived, as England opted for a review. The subsequent review revealed that the ball had struck Hartley’s forearm, not his glove, prompting the third umpire to overturn the on-field decision. The intricacies of the DRS came to the forefront, with the dismissal scrutinized for a potential LBW as well. The ball-tracking verdict, based on the umpire’s call, spared Hartley from the LBW review, as the original decision for the same dismissal was not out.
Also WATCH: Jonny Bairstow’s animated reaction after Ravichandran Ashwin’s pump-up celebration in 2nd Test – IND vs ENG
Rohit Sharma’s quest for clarity: Umpire’s verdict unraveled
England’s review courted controversy as Indian skipper Rohit was displeased with the final verdict. Rohit also had a lengthy discussion with the on-field umpire about whether the LBW decision could be given out or not. Umpire Chris Gaffaney then briefed Rohit that the decision went upstairs for a catch, not LBW. With the ball touching Hartley’s arm, the Englishman was given not out despite the umpire’s call being out for caught.
India’s response and series-leveling triumph against England
Despite the DRS drama, India didn’t have to wait long for a breakthrough. Jasprit Bumrah stepped up to dismantle the Ben Foakes-Hartley partnership, setting the stage for further success. Mukesh Kumar joined the party, claiming his maiden wicket by dismissing debutant Shoaib Bashir. Bumrah’s final blow saw Hartley departing, securing India’s victory by 106 runs and leveling the five-game series 1-1. The drama-filled day left an indelible mark on the Test match, with the DRS controversy adding an unexpected twist to the unfolding cricketing saga.
