The contentious run-out of Jonny Bairstow during the fourth day of the second Ashes Test has ignited a passionate debate within the cricket community. Bairstow was run out by Australia’s wicketkeeper, Alex Carey, after mistakenly assuming that the ball was dead. As Bairstow leisurely left the crease, thinking the over had concluded, Carey quickly threw the ball back onto the stumps, resulting in his dismissal.

While Bairstow’s run-out was technically legal, it has raised questions about the “spirit of the game,” with many scrutinizing Australia’s tactics and the manner in which they secured the wicket. This particular dismissal had a significant impact on the match, as England, despite a remarkable century by Ben Stokes, failed to recover and were eventually bowled out for 327 while chasing a target of 371.

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Australian players faced backlash from the crowd, with some labeling them as “cheaters.” Former Indian cricketer Gautam Gambhir criticized those who condemned the decision, accusing them of hypocrisy and questioning if the notion of the spirit of the game only applied selectively. In a fiery tweet, Gambhir wrote, “Hey, sledgers… Does spirit of the game logic apply to you or is it just for Indians?”

Hey sledgers….does spirit of the game logic apply to u or is it just for Indians?

— Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) July 2, 2023

Gautam Gambhir’s tweet drew parallels to a similar incident during the 2011 Nottingham Test between India and England. In that match, former England captain Ian Bell left his crease under the assumption that the ball had reached the boundary for four runs. However, the ball hadn’t crossed the rope. Praveen Kumar retrieved the ball, and Indian captain MS Dhoni swiftly returned it to the fielder, resulting in Bell’s run-out as he was found outside the crease.

The 2011 incident also sparked controversy, with the crowd booing the Indian team as they walked off the field for tea, perceiving the dismissal as against the spirit of cricket. Surprisingly, when play resumed after the break, Bell received a warm reception upon his return to bat. Indian captain Dhoni had withdrawn the appeal, rendering the decision inconsequential.

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It is worth noting that at the time of the 2011 incident, India were the defending world champions, having recently clinched the prestigious 2011 World Cup against Sri Lanka. Sachin Tendulkar played a role in convincing Dhoni to withdraw the appeal.

England has been involved in their fair share of controversial incidents as well, including Ben Stokes’ controversial dive in the final of the 2019 World Cup, where the ball unintentionally deflected off his bat for a boundary, and Stuart Broad’s decision to stand his ground despite clearly edging the ball to the slips during the 2013 Ashes against Australia.