Wrong replay gets Dhoni out
BRIDGETOWN: The controversy over poor umpiring in the ongoing Test series between India and the West Indies has taken a new twist as it has now emerged that Mahendra Singh Dhoni was given out off a no ball on the first day of the second Test.
In what could erupt into a major controversy, the television replays ordered to check if Fidel Edwards had no-balled didn’t show that particular ball, instead some other legitimate delivery was shown to give Dhoni out.
Incidentally, Dhoni was given out off a no ball even in the first Test in Jamaica.
The latest case was the final delivery of Edwards’ 15th over, the 59th of the innings, which had Dhoni offering the catch to Shivnarine Chanderpaul at mid-on.
As Dhoni headed for the pavillion, umpire Ian Gould asked him to stay put as he wanted a reconfirmation from the third umpire that the delivery was legitimate and Edwards had not overstepped the bowling crease.
The replays showed that Edwards’s front foot had stayed within the crease but it was not the same delivery but a previous legitimate ball which was shown in television replays to judge Dhoni out.
The real delivery, as umpire Ian Gould had suspected, was indeed a no ball.
India, then 167/5, collapsed after the fall of Dhoni’s wickets to be all out for 201 in the final session’s play.
Meanwhile, the ICC on Thursday confirmed that an error by the host broadcaster during first day’s play in the second Test between the West Indies and India in Barbados led to the wrong replay being shown to the third umpire that led to Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s dismissal.
“The host broadcaster for this series, IMG Media, acknowledged the mistake and has apologised. Having looked into the situation, I am satisfied it was an unfortunate but honest mistake in what is a tense and live environment,” said Chris Broad of the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Match Referees.
“It is worth pointing out that the umpires followed the correct procedures and are without blame in this matter.
“Seeing as the game has continued, clearly there is no opportunity to reverse the decision. We are forced now put it behind us and move on,” he added.