Another day, another DRS controversy. This time, Joe Root has fallen victim. What seemed like a not out as the on-field umpire thought handed India an advantage with the Decision Review System overturning the on-field decision to out. However, it seemed like a Dicey Review System as the middle of the ball was outside the pitching line. Hence, it should have returned as Not Out. But Ravichandran Ashwin was lucky to get a wicket to his name in the IND vs ENG 4th Test in Ranchi.
What happened?
With Joe Root and Zak Crawley adding a crucial 46-run stand after two early blows, India needed a breakthrough. And they got that even though the on-field umpire did not agree.
Ravichandran Ashwin’s delivery kept straight and Joe Root missed. After the initial appeal was turned down, Rohit Sharma took the review in the last second as he had doubts about the line of the delivery. However, in TV replays, ball tracking showed that some portion of the ball was in line. And the TV umpire gave it three reds, forcing Joe Root to leave the crease.
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Was Joe Root out: What does ICC say?
The problem with the replay was that the seam of the ball wasn’t in line. Rather it was out. As per ICC’s Pitching Clause 3.4.4.3, the centre of the ball has to be inside the pitching zone to be called “In Line”. In this case, the centre of the ball was outside the pitching zone, as can be seen in the ball tracker.
Former England captain Michael Vaughan did not hold back. He lashed out at the Hawkeye technology.
“That looked a shocker for the technology… More than half the ball was outside leg stump yet it came up Red !!!!!! Hawkeye is having an average series .. And it’s done for England’s best player Roo,” Vaughan tweeted.
