England vs India 5th Test: Umpire Kumar Dharmasena's Decision to Signal Bat First in LBW Appeal Fueling Controversy
England and India locked horns in the 5th Test, with England winning the toss and opting to field first. The English playing XI included Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope (captain), Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jacob Bethell, Jamie Smith (wk), Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, Jamie Overton, and Josh Tongue.
On the other hand, the Indian team, led by Shubman Gill, made four changes to their playing XI, with the new additions being Karun Nair, Prasidh Krishna, Dhruv Jurel, and Akash Deep. Jasprit Bumrah, Rishabh Pant, Anshul Kumboj, and Shardul Thakur were dropped from the Indian side.
During the match, a controversial moment arose when umpire Kumar Dharmasena signaled an inside edge to the England players after turning down their lbw appeal before a review was taken. This gesture, although intended to suggest the ball had touched the bat, is not supposed to be given by umpires before the fielding side decides whether to use the Decision Review System (DRS).
This signal significantly affected the bowling side's decision, as England, seeing the umpire's indication of an inside edge, chose not to use a review, thus avoiding the risk of losing one. However, replays later confirmed that there was indeed an inside edge on the ball that deflected it onto Sudharsan's pads.
The incident sparked a debate on the Internet, with former players and commentators criticizing Dharmasena for his actions. They noted that under modern DRS protocols, umpires should not hint at their thoughts during appeals, as it gives an unfair advantage to the bowling team. This was seen as a deviation from proper procedure and was labelled a blunder that gave England a crucial reprieve.
Despite the controversy, the game continued, with Karun Nair scoring a gritty half-century, his first since 2016's epic triple-hundred. His efforts helped India reach 204/6 at stumps on the opening day, providing a solid foundation for the rest of the innings.
In conclusion, the 5th Test between England and India was marked by a controversial umpire's signal that affected England's decision on whether to review a crucial lbw decision. The incident highlighted the importance of adhering to modern DRS protocols and the potential impact of deviations from these protocols on the outcome of the game.
- Engaging in sports can have benefits for one's health, as regular physical activity increases heart rate and metabolism, which can reduce the risk of various health issues like obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.
- It is essential for umpires in sports, particularly those using the Decision Review System (DRS), to adhere strictly to protocols to ensure fairness and prevent incidents that can impact the outcome of the game, as demonstrated by the controversial signal given by Kumar Dharmasena during the 5th Test between England and India.
