In an era when cricket can be seen by everyone on television or any device at home, fans expect clarity in every phase of the game. However, on Tuesday, when the umpires allowed Gujarat Titans (GT) opener, Wriddhiman Saha to take a DRS even though the timer was up, it brought a lot of criticism with the decision.
Batting first, Gujarat Titans witnessed a forgettable start against Mumbai Indians (MI) in Match 35 of IPL 2023, losing Wridhiman Saha early in the third over of the innings. In his 150th IPL match, the wicket-keeper batter was dismissed by Arjun Tendulkar after scoring 4 off 7 balls.
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But more importantly, the manner in which his wicket was confirmed by the match officials drew a lot of attention. It was a shortish length delivery by Tendulkar clocked at 129.1kph which was down the leg side. Saha tried to pull it behind square leg but failed to time it properly. The ball only brushed his glove before Ishan Kishan completed the catch.
Arjun Tendulkar, as well as Kishan, was confident that there was contact with the ball and after waiting for a while, the umpire decided to give it out. But Saha was not sure whether he had nicked behind or not and he went on to converse with partner Shubman Gill.
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After a longish discussion, Shubman Gill and Wriddhiman Saha came to the conclusion that they would opt for DRS. However, by the time Saha signaled T to challenge the decision, the timer on the screen was up. Yet, the TV umpire Chris Gaffaney accepted it, and after watching a few replays, Ultra Edge confirmed that the ball glanced off the glove on its way to the keeper.
Here is the video of the incident:
— Surya Sharma (@SuryaSh54265109) April 25, 2023
Although the decision was upheld, the Twitterati took note of the incident of giving GT players an extra advantage, and no wonder, criticism began to come from all over the place.
Not sure how the review was allowed. GT ends up losing Saha and the review 🙃
— Saurabh Malhotra (@MalhotraSaurabh) April 25, 2023
Time was clearly up before Saha took that review,Umpires shouldn't have allowed that.
This is why one should play their employees on time and change them if they're incompetent.#GTvMI #IPL2023 #CricketTwitter
— Akash (@Akashkumarjha14) April 25, 2023
saha took the review after 15 seconds n then people say Ambani buys umpire s
— Sharim Almaas (@sharim10iam) April 25, 2023
Two things not right with this Saha review
1. He must have definitely known that he gloved it. Shouldn't hv reviewed it.
2. He reviewed after the DRS timer ended. Umpire should hv not sent it upstairs saying time has lapsed.#GTvMI
— Ajay Srinivasan (@Ajaychairman) April 25, 2023
Terrible review that from Saha. #IPL2023
— Cricket Tamizhan (@CricketTamizhan) April 25, 2023
Didn’t Saha just review that after the 15-second limit ?
He just wasted a review for his team as well— Sarvesh🏏 (@CricAspect) April 25, 2023
Wriddhiman Saha was allowed a review after the timer was over.🙄
And some idiots accuse Ambani and Mumbai Indians of buying umpires.#GTvsMI— Advait (@Upadeshpande) April 25, 2023
U can really see clock ticked and exceeded 15 sec. Still Saha was allowed to take that review. If it had been MI this would have been turned into huge issue
— Ujjawal Raj (@barcablood_uzwl) April 25, 2023
