Australia’s win in the Melbourne Test on Monday came after controversy surrounded the dismissal of India’s opening batter Yashasvi Jaiswal, which proved to be the decisive moment in the home team’s 284-run victory for a 2-1 lead in the five-Test Border Gavaskar Trophy.
Besides the 84 runs scored by Jaiswal, which was his second half-century of the match after his 82 in the first innings, India’s batting succumbed to pressure exerted by the Australian bowlers — folding up for just 155.
India’s nosedive began at the total of 121 for 3, from where the visitors lost the last seven wickets for just 34 runs.
(Photo: Video grab)
WHAT EXACTLY HAPPENED
The fall of wickets included that of top-scorer Jaiswal, which is being debated as doubtful or not. The opinion remains divided, where some believe there was a clear deviation off the glove that the ‘Snickokmeter’ didn’t catch, while others are questioning the third umpire from Bangladesh, Sharfuddoula Saikat, for ignoring the findings on ‘Snicko’ that showed no fluctuation.
A livid Jaiswal confronted the on-field umpires before making the long walk back. Even his partner in the middle at that time, Washingon Sundar, had a long conversation with the umpires.
The decision left India staring at a defeat, with the scorecard reading 140 for 7 as the visitors chased a 340-run target.
BCCI VICE-PRESIDENT EXPRESSES DISAPPOINTMENT
BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla reacted to Jaiswal’s dismissal with a post on social media.
“Yashasvi was clearly not out. Third umpire should have taken note of what technology was suggesting. While overruling field umpire, the third umpire should have solid reasons,” he wrote on X.
Former captains of India and Australia, Sunil Gavaskar and Ricky Ponting, differed in how they viewed the whole incident.
While Gavaskar reckoned “this can never be given out”, Ponting said “there is no argument whatsoever” while maintaining that the correct decision was made.
Speaking on Hindi commentary, Gavaskar said: “This can never be given out. If there is technology, one should use it. You cannot make a decision based on what you see and ignore the technology. There could be an optical illusion and we have seen it many times.
“The ball that they are showing, which swung after passing the batter and going into the keeper’s gloves, could be because of late swing,” Gavaskar added, referring to the live broadcast that showed a line that changed directions after it passed the bat.
Ex-Australia captain Ponting was understandably happy to see the back of Jaiswal, but had no doubt that he was out.
“They can make of it what they like,” Ponting said while doing commentary. “That clearly hit the glove…Jaiswal actually started to walk as soon as the Aussies went upstairs. He started to take a couple of steps away. Snicko hasn’t proven it to be correct, but the umpire picked up the deflection, froze it where the ball was at the end of the glove. As far as I am concerned, there is no argument whatsoever.”
ROHIT SAYS JAISWAL ‘TOUCHED IT’
At the post-match press conference, India captain Rohit Sharma was also asked about his views on the controversial call.
He felt Jaiswal did get a touch.
“It didn’t show on Snicko, but with the naked eye there was a deflection. In all fairness, it looked like he touched it, but more often than not we fall on the wrong side of such decisions,” Rohit said.
The win gave Australia a 2-1 lead. They now need just a draw in the last Test at Sydney to reclaim the Border Gavaskar Trophy for the first time since 2014.