Shubman Gill was given out on 10 but he argued with the umpires and the decision was reversed. (Photo Credit: Twitter)
New Delhi:
The standard of umpiring in the Ranji Trophy game came under the scanner yet again as a major controversy erupted in the clash between Punjab and Delhi at the PCA ground in Mohali on Friday. The batsman in question was India's upcoming star Shubman Gill. On 10, Shubman edged a delivery from left-arm medium bowler Subodh Bhati and he was given out by the umpire. Shubman refused to walk and he argued with the umpires which held up play for close to 10 minutes. After intense discussions between the on-field officials, which included even the match referee, Shubman's dismissal was reversed.
However, the India A captain did not last long and he fell for 23 when he edged Simranjeet Singh to Anuj Rawat. Delhi team manager Vivek Khurana told PTI the situation that unfolded. "The straight umpire (Mohammed Rafi) had adjudged Shubman caught behind and the batsman then walked up to the umpire and was seen having an argument asking him to reverse his decision. The straight umpire then consulted the square-leg umpire (Paschim Pathak) and reversed his decision," Khurana mentioned.
There was also speculation that the Delhi team were considering walking out of the contest but Khurana brushed aside the speculation, stating that the team wanted to know why the decision was reversed. "Our skipper (Nitish) Rana just asked the umpires as to why they overturned the initial decision. We never walked out. The match referee (Ranganathan) came in and play resumed as usual," Khurana added. DDCA general secretary Vinod Tihara also said, "The match was halted for seven to eight minutes. There was nothing untoward. Our boys felt that Gill was out and that's why they asked the umpires why the decision was reversed."
This is not the first time that the umpiring has come under the scanner. During the Baroda vs Mumbai Ranji game in Vadodara, Yusuf Pathan strode in and smashed three boundaries to signal his intent but, there was a moment of controversy. Yusuf was facing offspinner Shashank Attarde and he lunged forward to a flatter ball that leapt up from the deck. The ball went past the bat and hit his chest as it lobbed up to Jay Bista at short leg. Bista took the catch and the Mumbai players appealed and the umpire gave it out.
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Yusuf was shocked and he refused to go as he hung on. The umpires came together and had a discussion. At the same time, Yusuf exchanged words with Ajinkya Rahane and the Mumbai skipper had to be dragged off the conversation. The umpires stuck with the decision and Yusuf walked back to the pavilion, still shaking his head and fuming at his dismissal. Baroda were dismissed for 224 as Mumbai won the game by 309 runs to start their campaign on a high.
