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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.

However popular opinion was divided, and a Twitter poll conducted by ESPN CricInfo had 65% agreeing with the out call.

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.

Virat Kohli was happy but Joe Root wasn’t. Image: Getty
Virat Kohli was happy but Joe Root wasn’t. Image: Getty

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