India v England

TV umpire howler deprives Jack Leach of Ajinkya Rahane wicket

by Wisden Staff February 13, 2021 - 11:14am 2 minute read

An umpiring howler saw Ajinkya Rahane reprieved off the bowling of Jack Leach, despite UltraEdge clearly showing him having gloved the ball to short leg.

England reviewed a not out bat-pad decision with the India vice-captain well set on 66 not out on the first day of the second India-England Test. On initial viewing, Rahane seemed to be fine. While the ball passed close to the bat before striking the pad, UltraEdge showed no contact, and the game was set to resume.

Joe Root was clearly unsatisfied however, gesturing to the on-field umpires that the ball had bounced up after hitting the pad to take the glove on its way through to Ollie Pope. Strangely, having concluded the review, TV umpire Anil Chaudhary was called upon again, but to check the lbw decision, despite the ball having clearly pitched outside leg stump.

Root then had another chat with the umpire, seemingly asking if the path of the ball after striking the pad had been checked, but play resumed. However, an UltraEdge replay showed afterwards by the host broadcaster indicated that the ball had brushed the glove after hitting the pad, meaning Rahane should have been given out.

wow, that's dreadful #INDvENG pic.twitter.com/FCDJG8SYBK

— kεz (@realkez) February 13, 2021

After adding one more run, Rahane was out bowled to Moeen Ali, with no review able to save him this time. The officials tacitly confirmed a mistake had been made by restoring England’s from one to two reviews, with one initially struck off after the unsuccessful referral.

Mark Butcher, commentating for host broadcaster Star Sports, won praise for his forthright analysis and criticism of the dismissal.

And he's got England their review back 👑

— Vithushan Ehantharajah (@Vitu_E) February 13, 2021

The moment followed another piece of TV umpire controversy, with many viewers questioning the haste with which Rohit Sharma had survived a marginal stumping chance. Similarly to Rahane, Rohit holed out soon after his reprieve.