India umpire Nitin Menon praised after ‘brave’ decision in 5th Ashes Test

Indian umpire Nitin Menon has been highly praised by several fans and experts across various social media platforms for showing nerves of steel and taking a decision that was going to upset the local fans at The Oval in London during the ongoing fifth and last Ashes Test between England and Australia.

During the fifth Test, England players appealed for a run out of premier Australia batsman Steve Smith. The first run of the replay suggested that Smith could be short of the crease. It looked like an easy decision at first. It also led to premature celebrations among the England players on the field. The crowd too roared, thinking the third umpire would declare Smith out. Moreover, Smith had started to walk back too. 

However, Menon was a thorough professional. He could not just press button to send Smith back. Unsatisfied by the visuals, Menon asked for  the frame-by-frame videos of the moment Smith enters the crease. 

Ian Ward reckons Steve Smith was out. He took 50 minutes to analyse it, with 12 people helping him, including 2 former captains.#Ashes23 pic.twitter.com/DIhEVECf5C

— Vijay A (@VAAChandran) July 28, 2023

With England players and the crowd celebrating, there was huge pressure on him. However, the Indian umpire stuck to his skills and knowledge. After checking different frames thoroughly, Menon found that a part of Smith’s bat had crossed the line. 

There was complete disapproval at the stadium after Menon flashed ‘Not Out’ on the big screen. However, the Indian umpire didn’t mind as he took the best decision possible after a thorough investigation.

Several fans praised Menon for his brave decision.

“I would not mind as he took the best decision possible,” wrote a fan on twitter.

“Please must read law 29.1. The wicket is broken when at least one bail is completely removed from the top of the stumps. The ball hasn’t been removed from the top of the stumps. An excellent decision by Nitin Menon,” tweeted another fan.

“When Ian Ward explained with those angles, Mark Taylor agreed with him as well. Ward reckoned no-one has 50 minutes to arrive at an umpiring decision. Nitin Menon made the decision, based on the available evidence. From that point of view, he was right,” a third user commented.