In Adelaide Test R Ashwin’s LBW appeal sparks another DRS controversy
Team India faced another DRS (Decision Review System) controversy during Day 2 of the second Test against Australia at Adelaide Oval on December 7. The incident occurred in the 58th over when RavichandranAshwin bowled a delivery that hit Mitchell Marsh on the pads. Ashwin immediately appealed, but the on-field umpire did not raise his finger, prompting Kohli to request a review.
After discussions among the Indian players, they decided to challenge the decision, believing the ball had struck Marsh’s pads first. However, third umpire Richard Kettleborough reviewed the footage and could not find conclusive evidence to overturn the on-field call. Consequently, the decision stood as not out, and India lost their review.
Watch the incident here.
Surprisingly, a better angle showing the ball hitting Marsh’s pad first was revealed after the decision was made, leading former Australia cricketer Matthew Hayden to question why this clearer evidence wasn’t available earlier. He remarked, “I don’t understand how we get better pictures after the decision has been made.”
Additionally, ball-tracking indicated that the delivery would have hit the stumps, but since it was deemed an umpire’s call, India could not retain their review. Former India cricketer Sunil Gavaskar noted that there was no overwhelming evidence to overturn the on-field decision, highlighting the complexities of DRS in cricket. As a result, Marsh survived, and Australia went into tea at 200/4, leading by 20 runs.