Team India was on the wrong side of a couple of close calls on the opening day of the Boxing Day Test even as they knocked over Australia for a mere 195 courtesy imperious bowling displays by Jasprit Bumrah, Ravichandran Ashwin and Mohammed Siraj. The biggest talking point of the day was the controversial not-out call by third umpire Paul Wilson, who ruled Australian captain Tim Paine not-out.
It all happened during the 55th over of the Australian innings when Paine and Cameron Green got involved in a huge mix-up, leading to the Aussie captain struggling to get back to the striker’s end.
A decent throw from Umesh Yadav was gobbled by Rishabh Pant and the Indians weren’t that confident but the replay showed that there was no evidence to show that any part of Paine’s bat was behind the popping crease.
The 3rd umpire asked for the leg-side angle which also showed that no part of Paine’s bat was behind the crease.
However, Joe Wilson felt the opposite and was heard saying-
“There’s no conclusive evidence to show the bat is on the wrong side of the line, so the bat looks like it could have a bit over the line. My decision is not out,” as ‘NOT OUT’ flashed on the giant screen at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
The decision did not go down well with India, nor it did with pundits and fans who took to social media to express their befuddlement.
Former Australian leg-spinner Shane Warne disagreed vehemently at the decision and felt that Tim Paine should have been on his bike.
“Very surprised that Tim Paine survived that run out review ! I had him on his bike & thought there was no part of his bat behind the line ! Should have been out in my opinion,” Shane Warne wrote on Twitter.
Very surprised that Tim Paine survived that run out review ! I had him on his bike & thought there was no part of his bat behind the line ! Should have been out in my opinion
— Shane Warne (@ShaneWarne) December 26, 2020
Former India opener-turned commentator Aakash Chopra also disagreed with the decision and called for the introduction of neutral umpires, something that has been stalled in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
That was OUT.
Jason Holder was right. If players can be in a bio-bubble for soooo long….let umpires should be doing the same. #AusvInd— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) December 26, 2020
That said, Tim Paine was not able to make the most of the lucky reprieve as he could add a further 8 runs to his tally before becoming Ravichandran Ashwin’s third victim.
Here are some other reactions on the same by the cricketing fraternity-
Paine run out! Incredible. No wait, he's given not out. Almost as incredible #AusvInd
— Daniel Brettig (@danbrettig) December 26, 2020
I think Paine is very very lucky there… #AUSvIND
— Akash Fotedar (@akashfotedar5) December 26, 2020
That’s a weird run-out. The umpire has made the only decision he can (not-out) with the evidence, but Green was probably out if they had more frames.
— Charles Dagnall (@CharlesDagnall) December 26, 2020
Labuschagne lbw and Paine runout. Inexplicable margins. #AusvInd
— Chetan Narula (@chetannarula) December 26, 2020