NEW DELHI: Australia captain Pat Cummins was left perplexed after the third umpire overturned what appeared to be a legitimate dismissal on day four of the Boxing Day Test at the MCG.
While attempting to wrap up India’s first innings, Cummins delivered a full-length delivery to Mohammed Siraj, which seemed to produce an edge caught by Steve Smith at second slip.
The Australians celebrated, but on-field umpire Michael Gough referred the decision to third umpire Sharfuddoula Saikat to confirm whether it was a bump ball.
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Third umpire Sharfuddoula ruled Siraj not out, stating, "I can see the ball after hitting the back, I am satisfied."
The decision left Cummins and his team visibly confused.
Cummins approached on-field umpire Gough to request another review of the footage, but both Gough and fellow umpire Joel Wilson declined his appeal, allowing Siraj to continue batting.
The decision also left former cricketers Adam Gilchirst and
Ravi Shastri confused.
"This is very interesting. I have never seen this before. He is saying, 'You, as umpires, took it upstairs on your own behalf, but I want to review the decision.' I do think it needs to be looked at very closely," Gilchrist said on air.
"The umpire said I've seen the ball bounce after it hit the bat. That was a very quick call, a very quick call, just two replays," Shastri said.
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The controversial call ultimately had little impact, as Australian offspinner Nathan Lyon dismissed centurion Nitish Kumar Reddy shortly afterward for 114.
India’s innings ended at 369 in 119.3 overs, trailing Australia’s first-innings total by 105 runs.
The five-match series is currently locked at 1-1.
India secured a commanding 295-run win in Perth, while Australia responded with a 10-wicket triumph in Adelaide. The rain-hit third Test in Brisbane ended in a draw, setting the stage for a high-stakes battle in Melbourne.
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