Dubious umpiring denies India historic victory

India fails to break the losing streak outside the subcontinent as New Zealand wins the first test match by 44 runs. India fought valiantly till the end but some poor calls from the umpire kept the Indians at a bay. The umpires, Australian Steve Davis in particular, have played a major role in India’s defeat in this match as they have been instrumental in the dismissals of 3 Indian players.

It all began last night when Murali Vijay was given out caught behind due to the faintest of edges which could have been easily given not out, in fact would have been given not out on another day. Even the snicko could not trace a proper edge on the bat. The story did not change at all on the fourth day of the match. This time the victim was Ajinkya Rahane, who was looking good on 18. Umpire Steve Davis put his dreaded finger up when the Kiwis appealed for a leg-before when it was quite clear that Rahane had inside edged the ball on to his pads. This decision brought the match back to NZ’s favour when it looked like India would be home with ease. The final one came at the most crucial time of the match and it eventually cost India the match. Mahendra Singh Dhoni was at the receiving side this time. Dhoni dragged one slow bouncer from Neil Wagner on to his stumps. Apparently it was a clear out and Dhoni did not wait, until the umpires asked him to wait as they wanted to check whether it was no-ball. The field umpires were right in their decision to review whether it’s a legitimate ball or not, nut the third umpire was at fault this time. When the replay showed that Wagner’s back foot had touched the white mark on the side of the pitch, much to the surprise of any other viewer he did not call it as a no-ball. As Dhoni went out it was curtains down for the Indians. In the next over, Trent Boult finished off the Indian innings as Ishant Sharma edged one to the keeper, though it seemed that the ball took his sleeves than his bat.

Some poor umpiring decisions have somewhat overshadowed the brilliant display put up by the Indian batsmen. Dhawan’s brilliant hundred, his first in overseas condition, Kohli’s fighting 67, Jadeja’s quickfire 26 which turned the game on its head and in the end Dhoni, who once again played like a captain guiding his fellow partners at the other end of the pitch. Dhawan made sure that he consolidated his place in the playing after few small runs. Particularly the way he got out in the last few matches raised questions about his technique outside home in the minds of the experts. He answered all his critics with a strokeful 115 before getting out edging to the keeper. There was a sudden change in the spirit of the Indians that could be noticed since they got the Kiwis out for just 105 in the second innings.

However the New Zealanders should not be stripped of their deserved credits for they have played their heart out. Umpiring did help them to win the match but they deserved to win as well, particularly because of their batting display in the first innings. Neil Wagner got the rewards for some aggressive bowling as he picked 4 wickets. Tim Southee and Trent Boult backed him up nicely picking up 3 wickets each. As a unit the New Zealand seamers bowled quite beautifully.

With this victory NZ now lead the two-match test series 1-0 and cannot lose the series. India, on the other hand, is on the verge of losing yet another test match series abroad. But the way in which India came back in this test match will surely lift the spirit in the dressing room. We might get an opportunity to see a different Team India in the next match at Wellington scheduled to begin within a week’s time.

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About Argha Ghosh

An ardent follower of sports and die-hard Manchester United fan, Argha's ultimate dream is to watch a Manchester derby from the Stretford End at the Old Trafford.