Tim Paine, Australian skipper was left frustrated with the Decision Review System (DRS) during their second Test loss to India in Melbourne, saying his controversial dismissal was wrong and might have cost his team the match.

Tim Paine was ruled caught behind after scoring 1 off Ravindra Jadeja after the on-field call by Paul Reiffel was overturned by third umpire Paul Wilson. Tim Paine, who was the beneficiary of a borderline run-out call in the first innings, was clearly unhappy with the decision while leaving the field.

Tim Paine Dismissed Judged By 3rd Umpire Paul Wilson By Snicko Evidence

The third umpire Paul Wilson judged that the Australian wicket-keeper had edged the ball on faint evidence provided by the “Snicko” technology.

The decision was made based purely on a snicko-meter spike after no mark was found on Hot Spot – which is probably the correct protocol according to experts. Australia too had reviewed against Cheteshwar Pujara in the first ball of the second day’s play where no mark was found on Hot Spot and a very small spike was shown on Snicko, although on that occasion there was a suggestion the toe of Cheteshwar Pujara’s bat had clipped his pad.

Cheteshwar Pujara (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

The wicket of Tim Paine on the third day left Australia 99 for six and they were eventually bowled out for 200 by lunch on day four on Tuesday. India then easily chased down 70 for victory after the lunch interval losing 2 wickets.

Indian No. 3 batsman Cheteshwar Pujara was reprieved on review in virtually identical circumstances on day two which led to the Australian skipper complaining about what he thought was double standards.

“I thought we had a pretty similar example in the first innings with Pujara on … day two which set some precedents. And then you could see the change,” he told reporters, maintaining that he had never hit the ball.

“Extremely frustrating, no doubt about that. Crucial part of the game. I felt like I’ve been playing pretty well the start of this series. And I thought if I could get in a partnership with (Cameron) Green (and) add another 50, 100, 120 runs together then the whole game changes. To have it finish like that was extremely disappointing.”

He said it was disappointing to be adjudged out as Australia were comparatively well placed and a partnership there could have turned the match on its head. Incidentally, Tim Paine scored an unbeaten 73 in first innings of the first Test and saw Australia winning after India squandered the advantage. That time too, Australia narrowed first innings deficit with India as Tim Paine coupled with tail-enders added valuable runs for 8th, 9th and 10th wicket.

Tim Paine Sought Clarification From Match Officials In Vain

Tim Paine said he had already sought clarification from match officials but had not been satisfied by their response.

“I’ve spoken to them, it wasn’t very productive,” he said.

“My concern yesterday was not with the technology, it was with the precedents set with Pujara and the fact the (Paine) decision was made too quickly. He (Wilson) didn’t look at enough replays to see all evidence. There was probably a gap between bat and ball. It was just lots of things that didn’t marry up for me.”

Cameron Green. Image Credit: Getty Images.

Tim Paine had no complaints however about a close runout decision that went his way in Australia’s first innings. He was scrambling for a single with all-rounder Cameron Green at other end and Tim Paine survived a lengthy review despite no clear evidence that his bat had crossed the line before the bails were whipped off.

The decision was criticized by Indian fans and former legendary Australian spinner and TV commentator Shane Warne was among those who took to on social media saying Tim Paine should have been adjudged out.