A massive talking point in the Mumbai Test occurred when Rishabh Pant was dismissed by Ajaz Patel, cutting across popularity across different social media platforms.
Pant was bonded out dubiously on the third day of the third Test as he tried to keep a ball off Patel’s deliveries.
This third umpire was of the opposite view that a hit wicket had occurred and thus dismissed Pant, which the Indian batsman and his admirers considered unfair.
The Incident: Snicko’s Spike Causes Dispute
His dismissal came in the 22nd over when India was in the middle of a chase against New Zealand.
There was a host of appeals when the ball from Patel hit Pant’s pads and then went up for Tom Blundell to complete the catch.
They waited for the third umpire decision, and the on-field decision was out. New Zealand went for the review on the last ball.
Snicko showed a spike near Pant’s pad, to this, Pant said this could be because of the sound of the bat hitting the pad and not the ball.
“Pant’s dismissal was unfortunate and maybe a bit unfair, but his innings was one of the best in the game,” one fan shared on Twitter.
- Series Stats:
- Pant scored 261 runs in three Test matches, with an impressive average of 52.20 and a strike rate of 89.69.
- Fighting Knock: In the second innings, Pant came to the crease when India was struggling at 29/5. He delivered a quickfire 50, attempting to keep India’s hopes alive.
The third umpire, however, found that there was a bat involved and, therefore, denied the appeal for dismissal.
The continued disappointment is depicted when Pant walks slowly back to the pavilion, and he keeps on asking how.
On social media, the followers’ reactions were divided, with some of them supporting the decision made by the umpire while others believed that Pant had been unfair by being given out.
Related Article: Rishabh Pant&Cricket Career: Stats, Achievements, and Milestones
Fans React: Was Pant Unfairly Dismissed?
My followers also engaged in numerous discussions and it created controversy among fans on the forums.
Some were upset that the third umpire could not get Snicko correctly, while others mooted that Snicko was clear enough to warrant that call.
What some fans tried to explain is that maybe the third umpire failed to consider some crucial facts to give the wicket to Pant.
Whether they were for or against Pant, the fans came with one in, yelling his determination at the crease when the entire Indian lineup disintegrated.
“Pant’s dismissal was unfortunate and maybe a bit unfair, but Pant’s innings was one of the best things to have happened in the game,” another shared on Twitter.
Some of them complained, pointing out the sense Pant brings to the team during a difficult chase.
Pant Shines Despite Controversy
However, Pant, who was dismissed from the team, played terrific cricket in series against New Zealand.
However, in three Test matches he has managed 261 runs at an average of 52.20 and striking rate of 89.69.
In the second innings again Pant came at the time when India had lost half its house for a score of 29/5, Pant Afr finally came and played a quick Fire at 48 balls to take India’s chances alive at 50 of quick.
The Mumbai Test ended with New Zealand dominating India 3-0 to achieve a series whitewash but Pant’s performance and his dismissal that was a contentious call will be remembered and further brought out the fact that making decisions on the field against the opposition always comes with some or other pressure.
References:
EconomicTimes.com
TheHindu.com
