New Delhi: If you thought Steve Smith asking the dressing room for assistance on DRS usage was the most bizarre thing ever, then you have not seen anything. What Soumya Sarkar did in the first Test against Sri Lanka may never be repeated on the cricket field again.
The Bangladesh opener signalled for DRS after getting bowled. Yes, in a bizarre turn of events the left-hander wanted to review his dismissal which was a clean bowled.
Sarkar may have become a laughing stock after that but surprisingly, he was not the sole one to be blamed for his actions. The Sri Lankan fielders including bowler Gunaratne started appealing even after the good length delivery had clearly clipped Sarkar’s off stump.
If that was not enough then umpire Maraius Erasmus decided to raise his finger.
While all this fiasco was taking place, Sarkar who had no clue of what was happening around him signalled for DRS. He was then informed about the mode of his dismissal and the confused left-hander finally decided to take the long walk back to the pavilion.
It often happens when a batsman does not know whether he has been bowled or not. He gets a cue from the fielders or the umpire. But in this case Sarkar got a different impression altogether,which instigated his move.
However, the talented opener cannot shy away from taking the blame. It will be interesting to see whether Sarkar also describes it as a moment of 'brain fade' or not.