India opener Rohit Sharma's dismissal against the West Indies on Thursday created quite a flutter as opinion got divided on social media on whether he was actually out or not. It also once again raised questions on the precision of the Decision Review System (DRS).
India’s limited-overs deputy Rohit was looking in good touch (on 18 off 22 balls) when a Kemar Roach delivery pitched on good length and jagged back sharply, kissing what the Windies surely thought was the inside edge of Rohit's bat.
The on-field umpire turned down the appeal, but the West Indies decided to review it. The third umpire Michael Andrew Gough overturned the umpire's decision and Rohit was adjudged to have nicked the ball, with Roach and the Windies celebrating.
The verdict left Rohit flabbergasted as he walked off shaking his head. Fingers were again pointed at the DRS and it's judgment, if its accurate at all times. Even with DRS, it wasn’t clear whether the nick was off the bat or the pad as the ball seemed to have hit both bat and pad at the same time.
The snickometer did show movement, but it was clearly a decision that could have gone either way.
Reacting to the umpire’s decision, well-known quiz master and sports administrator, Joy Bhattacharjya said, “For once I'm not convinced by that third umpire decision. Rohit Sharma wasn't either.”
For once I'm not convinced by that third umpire decision. Rohit Sharma wasn't either.
— Joy Bhattacharjya (@joybhattacharj) June 27, 2019
It was not only Joy who had that opinion, but many former cricketers were unsure about the decision even after using the help of technology.
One fan pointed out this was a “very rare moment in the history of cricket where Umpire is correct and Third umpire is wrong in spite of having modern technology”.
Very rare moment in history of cricket where Umpire is correct and Third umpire is wrong in spite of having modern technology... poor judgement and hurry to give #RohitSharma out while actually he is Not Out @ICC @BCCI should see this and not @msdhoni bhai's gloves.. #INDvsWI pic.twitter.com/VEL3mdB91A
— Jimmy Patel (@thejimmypatel) June 27, 2019
Some others suggested penalising Gough for the decision, while a few looked at the funny side of it.
Meanwhile Rohit Sharma looking for Third Umpire on his return dressing room.
— Abhay Anand (@ABHAY_1987) June 27, 2019
Why can ICC use hot-spot technology. #INDvsWI #RohitSharma pic.twitter.com/SpDLB91L6r
WTF!! Ground umpire was also shocked on that decision. Terrible decision. #INDvsWI #RohitSharma pic.twitter.com/y5tgkNDGso
— Rohit Sharma Fan Club (@IamRs45Fc) June 27, 2019
#IndvsWI#RohitSharma given out by third umpire after using new technology pic.twitter.com/ppJ4Md0mH7
— NaughtyBoy (@Godiswatching19) June 27, 2019
Field umpires to poora sath de rahe hai #india ka....
— NILESH SONI (@the_nilesh_soni) June 27, 2019
Lekin ye #DRS to hath dho ke pichhe pad gaya...#WIvIND #WIvsIND #INDvWI #INDvsWI #RohitSharma #TeamIndia #orangejersey #CWC19
— SportsIndiaShow (@SportsIndiaShow) June 27, 2019
Me trying to figure out how #RohitSharma is out#INDvsWIpic.twitter.com/tom8TkJhIF
Looking a #hitman to avenge the wicket of India’s hitman, #RohitSharma! :D#JohnnyLever #Comedy#INDvsWI #RohitSharma #umpire pic.twitter.com/oSVFanSqUo
— Ultra Hindi (@UltraHindi) June 27, 2019