The Decision Review System (DRS) came under major scrutiny on Friday during the second T20I between New Zealand and India at the Eden Park in Auckland.
New Zealand’s Daryl Mitchell was given out leg before wicket (LBW) controversially off the bowling of Krunal Pandya in the sixth over of the first innings but replays clearly showed that the batsman had got an inside-edge.
Mitchell straight away went for the review after exchanging few words with his captain Kane Williamson, who was at the non-strikers end.
TV replays showed the inside-edge but the snickometer failed to pick up any sound off the nick, showing a flat line despite the ball hitting the bat. The third umpire had no choice but to go with the on-field umpire’s call because there was no conclusive evidence even though he could see the ball hitting the bat.
Williamson couldn’t believe what he saw and protested the decision but the on-field umpire Chris Brown had to ask the batsman to leave. Rohit Sharma and MS Dhoni were also seen having a chat, possibly mulling to withdraw their appeal but that didn’t happen..
India pacer Khaleel Ahmed later revealed that his side just went with the on-field and third umpires decisions.
“We were just waiting for umpire’s call because we can’t do anything in that decision. Whatever the umpires said we just accepted it,” Khaleel said at the post-match press conference.
With Mitchell’s dismissal, New Zealand also lost the review and their third wicket for mere 43 runs.
The early wickets dented the Kiwis and they eventually managed to post 158 for 8 with Krunal finishing with three wickets while Khaleel bagged a couple.
Chasing 159, India rode on Rohit’s 50 and Rishabh Pant’s unbeaten 40 to reach the target in the 19th over with 7 wickets in hand.
