Mushfiqur runout: Third umpire denies India a wicket, sparks off debate

Photo: BCCI

New Delhi: Days after glaring umpiring errors rocked the India-England T20 series; another decision triggered a lot of controversy on Day 3 of the India-Bangladesh one-off Test at Hyderabad. 

In the 50th over of the Bangladesh innings, Shakib-Al-Hasan went for a quick single, Mushfiqur was late to react and Saha whipped the bails in a flash off a Jadeja return. At first it seemed Mushfiqur had made his ground but replays conveyed that his bat was in the air. After taking considerable amount of time third umpire Chris Gaffaney decided to go with batsman. Mushfiqur was batting on 18.

The third umpire’s decision immediately sparked off a debate in the commentary box with Simon Doul and Laxman Shivaramakrishnan feeling that Mushfiqur had nothing behind the line when the bails were dislodged. Both the former international cricketers did not shy off from criticizing the third umpire.

However, Sunil Gavaskar and Athar Ali Khan felt otherwise. They felt the right decision was made and the benefit of doubt should always go with the batsman. 

 

The decision has already had its impact on the Test match as Mushfiqur Rahim was still unbeaten on 81 at the close off play and is the only hope of Bangladesh to avoid follow on.