Day five of the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) brought plenty of drama when the Indian opener Yashasvi Jaiswal was fired with a controversial decision. The third umpire overturned the call on the field despite the Snickometer showing no strike, sparking a heated debate among players, pundits and fans.
Jaiswal, who had been a rock for India, was visibly upset as he departed after a hard-fought 84 off 208 balls. His streams had held of India hopes alive, making the decision a bitter pill to swallow for the Indian camp. It wasn't just disappointment – it revived questions about how consistent technology-assisted refereeing is.
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Controversy unfolded in the 71st over over India's chase. Pat Cummins sent a short ball down the leg side and Jaiswal, attempting a pull shot, seemed to miss it completely. Australia, however, appealed loudly, claiming a slim advantage. The on-field umpire said “not out”, but Cummins was unconvinced and went for a review.
That's where things got sticky. The snickometer showed no strike as the ball passed the bat, but the third umpire noted a slight deflection. This was deemed “definitive evidence”, overturning the on-field call and sending Jaiswal back to the ward.
Jaiswal was not happy – and it showed. He exchanged words with the on-field umpires before walking off as the Indian crowd at the MCG erupted in disbelief. On the other hand, Australian fans celebrated the breakthrough.
Expert opinions: Divided as always
Former ICC elite umpire Simon Taufel took part in Channel 7's coverage, supporting the decision. “From my perspective, it was out,” Taufel said. He explained that the third umpire relied on the deflection, which was considered sufficient evidence, even though the Snickometer did not show an audio hit. According to Taufel, visual evidence can trump audio under current protocols.
But that didn't sit well with fans and pundits, who questioned whether the rules were consistently enforced. Social media lit up with demands for more transparency in the use of technology for these high-stakes calls.
Jaiswal's Performance: Grit and Redemption
Controversies aside, Jaiswal's innings was a master at resilience. Riding under pressure behind the early wickets, he anchored the Indian chase with remarkable composure, facing 208 balls for his 84 runs. This knock was all the more impressive considering the young opener had earlier conceded three critical strikes in the match.
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One of these errors allowed Marnus Labuschagne to score more runs for Australia, increasing their lead. But Jaiswal redeemed himself with the bat, frustrating Australia's bowlers and earning respect from the crowd – until a controversial dismissal cut short his time.
A game-changing moment
Jaiswal's light turned the tide. His exit left India's lower order exposed to Australia's aggressive bowling attack and the momentum quickly shifted to the hosts.
But instead of focusing solely on the cricket, much of the post-match discussion revolved around the controversial dismissal. Supporters called for better consistency in how technology is used to make such crucial decisions. In the end, the drama overshadowed what had been a fascinating day of Test cricket.
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