Gill gets dismissal decision reversed after argument
Umpire overturned the decision after consultation with leg umpire Pashchim Pathak only to leave the rival Delhi team visibly unhappy. The visitors went into a huddle and the match was held up for several minutes.
Controversy erupted in the very first hour of the Ranji Trophy match between Punjab and Delhi with India player Shubman Gill involved in a heated argument with on-field umpire Mohamed Rafi after being given out. Rafi later overturned the decision after consultation with leg umpire Pashchim Pathak only to leave the rival Delhi team visibly unhappy. The visitors went into a huddle and the match was held up for several minutes. Match referee P Ranganathan had to intervene twice for the play to start again.
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Punjab were on 34 for one in 9.4 overs when it looked like Gill, batting on 10, had nicked one to the keeper off Subodh Bhati. As Delhi celebrated, Gill, who was recently named India A captain for the New Zealand tour, walked up to the umpire gesturing he was not out. Following a heated argument, Rafi turned to Pathak and after due consultation changed his decision. Now, it was Delhi’s turn to protest and the team, led by Dhruv Shorey, went into a huddle.
Gill couldn’t do much after the reprieve and was caught by Anuj Rawat off Simarjeet Singh for 23, but the Delhi camp was livid.
“We didn’t walk out but yes, we were unhappy and the game got delayed. This is still considered a gentleman’s game and umpires are human too. There are times when you are out and are given not out; you don’t give a bouquet to the umpire after the game. He (Gill) is a youngster and should have taken it in his stride,” Delhi coach KP Bhaskar said at stumps after the visitors had bounced back and restricted Punjab to 266 for eight in 82 overs. Punjab coach Munish Bali said, “It is up to the match referee to decide (the) next course of action.”
A Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) official said on condition of anonymity, “Gill was surprised by the decision and went to inquire about it. He is a very calm player and didn’t use any foul words or try to pressurise the umpire. He didn’t nick the ball and has already apologised and I think we should put it all behind us.”
Brief scores: Punjab 266/8 in 82 overs (Mandeep 81, Gurkirat 65; Bidhuri 3/62, Baroka 2/34) vs Delhi.
