Cricket world divided over controversial Joe Root dismissal
Joe Root was left fuming after a controversial catch went against him in the third Test against India.
Hardik Pandya claimed his maiden five-wicket Test haul as India skittled brittle England in the afternoon session to take a firm grip of the third Test on a frenetic day two at Trent Bridge.
But one of Pandya’s wickets sparked major controversy, with England skipper Root standing his ground after KL Rahul claimed a low catch at second slip.
On-field umpires called for a review but made a ‘soft signal’ of out and the on-field call was upheld, despite replays appearing to show the ball bouncing into Rahul’s hands.
Root walked off the field shaking his head angrily, and a number of fans agreed with him.
Joe Root NOT OUT! benefit of the doubt should go to the batsman and the ball clearly hit the ground. soft signal makes no sense. @ICC #ENGvIND https://t.co/EHryIR7r6q
— Daniel Alexander (@daniel86cricket) August 19, 2018
That Joe Root dismissal very clearly didn't carry. VERY clearly. Everyone, except apparently the third ump, could see that ball against the group without a finger underneath until it bounced. #ENGvIND
— George Kiernan (@GeorgeKiernan) August 19, 2018
Joe root was clearly not out…what was third umpire doing by checking from so many angles..disappointed #indiavsengland
— Pooja Tiwari (@impooja090) August 19, 2018
The Joe #Root dismissal.
How can that be out? The ball has hit the ground. #INDvsENG pic.twitter.com/nwVwAnBhlB
— Andrew Castle (@AndrewCastle63) August 19, 2018
However popular opinion was divided, and a Twitter poll conducted by ESPN CricInfo had 65% agreeing with the out call.
Do you think Joe Root was out or not-out?
WATCH (India only): https://t.co/bo1W9j3RmK #ENGvIND
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) August 19, 2018
Joe Root extremely disappointed that the third umpire got that one right. #EngvInd
— Raunak Kapoor (@RaunakRK) August 19, 2018
Poor from Joe Root. Wandering off shaking head. I really don’t like to see batsmen standing their ground to encourage a review. If given out and they want to review, use DRS. Similarly if given not out fielding side can review.
— Iain Snelling (@iainHSMC) August 19, 2018
India were 2/124 in their second innings at stumps, an already commanding lead of 292 runs in a game where victory would see them keep the series alive at 2-1 down in a five-match contest.
Cheteshwar Pujara was 33 not out and India captain Virat Kohli, whose 97 was key to his side’s first-innings 329, eight not out with three days left in the game.
Earlier, England collapsed to 161 all out in a first innings that lasted a mere 38.2 overs.
All-rounder Pandya took five wickets for 28 runs in six overs as he revelled in the swing-friendly conditions.
This was the second time this year that England had lost all 10 wickets inside a session of Test cricket following an embarrassing 58 all out against New Zealand in Auckland in March.
The irony was that England didn’t lose a wicket in 40 minutes before lunch where India bowled poorly and failed to make the most of the overcast conditions.
They were 54 without loss early in the second session but left-handed openers Alastair Cook (29) and Keaton Jennings (20) both exited on that score, sparking a collapse that saw eight wickets lost for 74 runs.
Only Jos Buttler’s 39 denied Kohli the chance of enforcing the follow-on.
with agencies