Former Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has fired shots at ICC elite panel umpire Paul Reiffel after India's loss in the third Test at Lord's.
India lost the third Test at Lord's by just 22 runs chasing 193 runs to win in the second innings. On day five, they had 125 more runs to get and had six wickets in hand.
Meanwhile, Ashwin blamed Reiffel for India's loss and said that he gave two decisions which should have gone in India's favour. Reiffel turned down Mohammed Siraj's appeal against Joe Root which looked plumb. Former Indian skipper Sunil Gavaskar blamed the technology for the decision.
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ICC Has To See Towards It - R Ashwin Alleges Paul Reiffel Of Partiality Against India
Then he ruled Shubman Gill out against Brydon Carse on a delivery that did not touch his bat. Reifell's decision in the end proved decisive for India's cause as they ended up losing the Test match. He was badly criticised all over social media for his decision-making.
R Ashwin, on his Official YouTube channel, criticised Paul Reiffel’s umpiring by pointing out some of the decisions that went against India.
“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 ICC has to see towards it,” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel, Ash ki Baat.
Ashwin recalled another decision that Reiffel ruled against India involving another batter when there was a big gap between the bat and the 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 firm with players taking time,” Ashwin added.
Umpiring Errors Cost India The Lord's Test
There is no doubting the fact that the umpiring in the third Test particularly against the Indian team has been questionable. KL Rahul's decision ruled out by umpire Sharfuddoula on Day 5 was another wrong call made by him that irked Indian fans. Former Indian captain Anil Kumble also took a dig at him after the end of the game.
It seems Paul Reiffel has decided that it is not going to be out. Anything close, not out,” Kumble said while commentating.
