Ravichandran Ashwin was left fuming about Hardik Pandya’s controversial dismissal in the first ODI between India and New Zealand on Monday. Hardik Pandya was adjudged out despite replays showing Tom Latham’s gloves dislodging the bails.
Hardik Pandya was declared bowled by Daryl Mitchell in the 40th over when the replays had clearly shown that the bails were dislodged by the gloves of wicketkeeper Tom Latham.
Ravichandran Ashwin: Hardik Pandya Was ‘Clearly’ Not Out
Having won the toss and opted to bat first, India got off to a cautious start as openers Shubman Gill and skipper Rohit Sharma put on a 60-run partnership before the Indian captain departed. In form Virat Kohli and Ishan Kishan also failed to make an impact, but Shubman Gill continued on his merry way as he scored his maiden ODI double hundred on the day as he found a few strong partners in Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya.
However, controversy erupted in the fourth ball of the 40th over when it seemed like the Indian all-rounder vice captain was cleaned up by a delivery by Daryll Mitchell. The final decision was sent to the third umpire who had a few looks before went on to rule in the favour of the Kiwis. The fans watching the game were left shocked by the decision as it was clear that the ball had gone above the stumps and Tom Latham had dislodged the bails with his gloves.
The New Zealand captain would come under the spotlight once again when he accidentally dislodged the bails. Ravichandran Ashwin wasn’t happy with what transpired and opened up about it on Twitter.
The veteran India spinner said that the cut shot from Shubman Gill where Tom Latham accidentally dislodged the bails once again proved why Hardik Pandya was clearly not out.
“Forget about split screens and replays, the cut shot from Shubhman Gill proved why Hardik was clearly Not Out. #indvsnz,” said Ashwin on Twitter.
India all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin also believed Hardik Pandya was “not out”. Later in the innings, the Kiwi captain and wicket-keeper, Tom Latham, was once again under the spotlight after he accidentally dislodged the bails when Shubman Gill played the cut shot and the decision went upstairs.
Veteran off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin was clearly disappointed with the third umpire’s poor decision making and he took to Twitter to state that Shubman Gill’s cut shot where Tom Latham accidentally dislodged the bails once again clearly proved why Hardik Pandya was not out.
Wasim Jaffer Reasons Hardik Pandya Was Robbed In The 1st ODI
Former cricketer Wasim Jaffer said that the India all-rounder was robbed during the first ODI and explained why it wasn’t out.
“1. Clear gap between ball and bails. 2. Ball is inside gloves, bails not lit yet. 3. Bails lit after brush from gloves. Hardik robbed there. #INDvNZ,” said Jaffer.
Daryll Mitchell bowled a length delivery outside off in the 40th over of India’s innings, which went past close to Hardik Pandya’s bat, who was batting at 28 at the time. Hardik Pandya went very low to play to third man but missed, and the ball seemed to hit the top of the stumps, and the bails lit up. Players started to celebrate his wicket, but the umpire went upstairs.
Ultra Edge showed no spike, as the ball did not touch the bat. The replay showed that Tom Latham had his gloves behind the stumps, and the deflection may have been through his gloves. However, the third umpire ruled in favour of the blackcaps. Hardik Pandya was dismissed on 28 runs off 38 deliveries off Daryll Mitchell.
India would go on to score 349 runs in their 50 overs on the back of Shubman Gill’s double hundred. A solid partnership between Michael Bracewell and Mitchell Santner kept New Zealand in the hunt. The pair added 162 runs for the seventh wicket, with Mitchell Santner chipping with a 45-ball 57.
Despite losing his partner, Michael Bracewell kept things moving and was the final man to depart. He was trapped LBW for 140 off 78 balls by Shardul Thakur in the final over as New Zealand fell short by 12 runs in the 350-run chase.