WI vs IND: Shardul Thakur wasn’t happy about his dismissal in the first West Indies-India ODI, given out by the umpires despite complaining of a distraction as the ball was being bowled.

India were well on top in the game at the time of the contentious moment, having skittled West Indies for 114 and made their way to 97-4 in reply. A middle-order stumble, from 54-1, didn’t look like halting their victory push, but it did allow Thakur a foray at No.6, with India rejigging their batting order due to the small total.

However, the all-rounder did not last long, making only a single before coming down the track to Yannic Cariah and steering the ball to second slip. The wicket seemed a routine one, but Thakur wasn’t happy, and complained to the umpires that he had been distracted by movement around the sightscreen. After a momentary pause, Michael Gough, officiating in the game, told Thakur he had to go on his way.

“West Indies are celebrating,” said the on-air commentator. “He seemed to suggest he was distracted last moment. I think Michael Gough has intervened now, it doesn’t matter. It’s not been judged a dead ball. In slightly comical circumstances, India have lost their fifth wicket.”

It is standard for a batter distracted during a bowler’s run-up to pull out of their batting stance, with the ball then being called dead. It is more unusual for a batter to complain of a distraction after going through with their shot, but such a scenario is accounted for in the Laws of Cricket. Clause 20.4.2.6 of the dead ball law states that: “Either umpire shall call or signal dead ball when…the striker is distracted by any noise or movement or in any other way while preparing to receive, or receiving a delivery. This shall apply whether the source of the distraction is within the match or outside it.”

However, it is up to the umpires to determine if it was reasonable for the batter to be distracted, and in this case they sent Thakur on his way.

India triumphed by five wickets, not long after Thakur’s departure.