The ongoing third Test between India and England at Lord’s has seen several poor umpiring calls, particularly those of Australian umpire Paul Reiffel. On Day 4 of the match, with the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy series level at 1-1, several decisions grabbed attention, drawing criticism from ex-players and fans alike.
Former Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin pointed fingers at Reiffel and called it a pattern of decisions going against India. Speaking on his YouTube channel Ash ki Baat, Ashwin opened up about his experience with the veteran umpire.
“My experience with Paul Reiffel… I want to talk to him. I am not saying that I should tell him that give it out. It’s not like that. Whenever India bowls, he always feels it’s not out. Whenever India bats, he always feels it’s out. If it’s not against India but against all teams, then the ICC has to see towards it,” he said.
My father told me whenever Paul Reiffel comes, India will not win: Ashwin
Ashwin stressed out on two moments. He first spoke about Reiffel turning down a confident LBW appeal from Mohammed Siraj against Joe Root, even though replays showed the ball would have clipped the leg stump. The decision stayed with the umpire due to the ‘umpire’s call’ rule in DRS. Later in the day, Shubman Gill was controversially adjudged caught behind by Reiffel off Brydon Carse, though DRS replays showed there was no contact with the bat. Ashwin also commented on another decision involving a wide gap between bat and ball.
“I own a car, a sedan, which I can park through the gap between the bat and ball. It’s clear it was not out. But this is not the first time. My father was watching the match with me. And he told me, ‘whenever Paul Reiffel comes, India will not win.’ Even Mike Atherton and Nasser Hussain said the umpires could have acted a bit firmer with players taking time,” he added.
Former India captain and legendary spinner Anil Kumble also opined on the decisions given by Reiffel. “It seems Paul Reiffel has decided that it is not going to be out. Anything close, not out,” Kumble said on air.
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