TV
Day 5 of the third Test between India and England at Lord’s began disastrously for the visitors, with quick dismissals of Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul, and Washington Sundar. Chasing 135 for victory, India were left on the brink of defeat after the early morning collapse. While Pant fell to a sensational delivery from Jofra Archer and Sundar was dismissed by a brilliant caught-and-bowled effort from the same bowler, it was KL Rahul’s wicket that stirred controversy.
Rahul, initially given not out after being struck on the pad by Ben Stokes, was later adjudged LBW upon review. Attempting a defensive shot, Rahul’s bat got caught behind his pad and the ball struck his front leg. Stokes was confident, and the DRS showed the ball crashing into the middle stump.
However, former India captain Sunil Gavaskar was visibly unconvinced by the DRS projection. "Surprisingly, this one didn’t bounce much. When Indian bowlers were operating, many of the reviewed deliveries were going over the stumps," Gavaskar remarked during commentary. Fellow commentator Michael Vaughan attempted to ease the tension, but Gavaskar stood firm. "I am questioning the technology," he added.
This wasn’t the first instance of Gavaskar raising concerns over the ball-tracking system in the match. On Day 4, he expressed strong disagreement after England’s Joe Root survived an LBW review. In the 38th over of England’s second innings, Root was struck on the pads by Mohammed Siraj. Despite India’s conviction that he was out, the umpire ruled him not out, and the decision was upheld on review as 'umpire's call', with the ball just clipping the leg stump.
Gavaskar wasn’t impressed. "You're saying that was just brushing leg stump? No chance. That was knocking the stumps over. The only consolation is India didn’t lose the review," he said on air.
Former England batter Jonathan Trott echoed Gavaskar’s sentiments. "I’m flabbergasted. Looking at that replay, I thought the ball was crashing into the inside of the leg stump. Even live, I couldn’t believe it was missing," Trott commented.
The repeated inconsistencies in ball-tracking throughout the match have left players and experts alike questioning the reliability of the technology.
