Rohit Sharma described Rishabh Pant’s controversial dismissal on the third day’s action of the final Test match at the Wankhede Stadium as “unfortunate” while making it clear that the on-field decision should have been taken as final.
Chasing a target of 147 runs, Pant played an innings of substance as he scored an excellent half-century with the right amount of aggression and caution. However, the wicketkeeper-batter was adjudged as caught off a “bat-pad” by the third umpire, which was a highly controversial decision.
Ajaz Patel bowled a full delivery that turned back in sharply with some bounce as Pant tried to defend it. The ball came closer to his inside edge and popped in the air when New Zealand’s keeper, Tom Blundell, lunged forward to complete the catch.
However, the on-field umpire did not budge despite a strong appeal from the New Zealand side. Captain Tom Latham, after a little hitch, went for the review. The UltraEdge showed a spike when Pant’s bat hit his pad and another one when the ball came near the bat.
Pant walked up to the umpires and argued that there was no bat, but the third umpire overturned the on-field decision in favor of New Zealand. An angry Pant walked off for 64 runs off 57 balls.
Following the match, Rohit Sharma told the press conference, “If we say something, it is not accepted well, but if there is no conclusive evidence, the on-field decision should stay. I was told that’s how it should be. I don’t understand how that decision was overturned since the umpire didn’t give him out.”.
He then said, “The bat was certainly close to the pad. I am unsure whether it’s right for me to say anything more about this, but it’s something for the umpires to have a look-consistency in decisions for every team needs to be there, without changing standards. This wicket was important for us; Rishabh was batting well, and it looked like he could guide us through.”
