Team India had a huge setback on their way to the massive 444-run chase against Australia on day four of the World Test Championship (WTC) Final at the Oval on Saturday. Promising opener Shubman Gill was not able to believe his luck as he was dismissed in a controversial catch by Cameron Green.
The Australian pacers were under a bit of pressure as both captain Rohit Sharma and Gill had come out all guns blazing. However, at the stroke of Tea, Gill was adjudged out in a controversial manner. In the first delivery of the eight over by Scott Boland, Gill was undone by the extra bounce. The ball flew to the slip cordon where Green dived to his left and took a one-handed catch.
Even as the Australian players started celebrating, Gill did not look convinced. The young opener wanted the catch to be checked. The on-field umpires had a discussion before it was sent to the third umpire. While Green took the catch while his fingers were in the air, the point of discussion arose over whether the ball touched the ground before the all-rounder completed his dive.
Third umpire Richard Kettleborough took his time to analyse the catch from multiple angles before giving Gill out in a controversial manner.
Fans went berserk over the development. They shouted against the decision and eventually ‘cheater cheater’ sound engulfed the Oval ground. Several experts and fans also took to various social media platforms to express their displeasure over the decision of the third umpire.
Reacting to the controversial out, cricket expert and commentator Harsha Bhogle said, “It was a great effort from Cameron Green but it is the moment immediately after the catch is taken, when the hand turns, that must cause Shubman Gill to be very disappointed.”
“Inconclusive evidence. When in doubt, it’s Not Out,” tweeted former Team India flamboyant opener Virender Sehwag.
“Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill couldn’t believe that 3rd umpire gave that OUT,” tweeted another fan.
In his response to the controversial out, a third user wrote, “This is clearly not out. Totally unfair decision against Shubman Gill and India.”