India’s stand-in captain, Jasprit Bumrah, expressed his dissatisfaction with a contentious decision involving Washington Sundar on Day 1 of the Sydney Test during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. This incident, reminiscent of Yashasvi Jaiswal’s dismissal in the previous match, has left fans and cricket experts questioning the consistency of umpiring decisions.
Sundar’s Dismissal Adds to India’s Woes
The controversial moment occurred during the final ball of the 66th over in India’s first innings. Australian skipper Pat Cummins bowled a short delivery to Washington Sundar, who attempted a pull shot but appeared to miss the ball completely. The Australians made a half-hearted appeal, which was turned down by on-field umpire Saikat.
However, Australian wicketkeeper Alex Carey convinced Cummins to opt for the Decision Review System (DRS). The UltraEdge technology displayed inconsistent spikes, with one occurring slightly after the ball had passed Sundar’s gloves. Despite the lack of conclusive visual evidence, third umpire Joel Wilson overturned the on-field decision, declaring Sundar out.
Wilson explained his reasoning, stating, “There’s a spike on UltraEdge close to the glove, and I can’t see a gap between ball and glove. Based on the evidence, I have to reverse the on-field call to out.”
This decision drew sharp criticism from Indian fans, who took to social media to voice their displeasure. Jasprit Bumrah, upon walking in to bat, was seen expressing his disappointment to the umpires.
Expert Opinions Divided
Former umpire Simon Taufel defended Wilson’s decision, emphasizing the adherence to DRS protocols. Speaking on Channel 7, Taufel explained, “The third umpire relies on the spike coinciding with the ball’s proximity to the glove. Based on the available evidence, Joel Wilson acted within the guidelines to make his decision.”
India Struggles on Day 1
India’s troubles were not limited to Sundar’s dismissal. Stand-in captain Bumrah, filling in for Rohit Sharma—who opted out due to poor form—won the toss and chose to bat on a challenging green pitch. The decision backfired as India’s batters struggled against Australia’s disciplined pace attack.
Scott Boland’s impeccable spell (20-8-31-4) wreaked havoc, while Mitchell Starc (18-5-49-3) and Pat Cummins (15.2-4-37-2) provided relentless support. The Indian innings folded for a modest 185 runs, with no batter able to dominate the Australian bowlers.
At stumps, Australia were 9/1, with Bumrah removing Usman Khawaja for just 2 runs. Teenage prodigy Sam Konstas, unbeaten on 7, showcased confidence by hitting Bumrah for a boundary off his first ball and engaging in a spirited exchange with the Indian pacer.
What Lies Ahead
As the Sydney Test unfolds, the controversial dismissal and India’s batting collapse have set the stage for a high-stakes encounter. With Australia holding the advantage on a green surface, India’s bowlers will need to deliver a stellar performance to keep their hopes alive in the series finale.
