C Shamshuddin, the third umpire for the third Test between India and England in Ahmedabad was under the pump a couple of times on Day 1 after the Indian batting commenced.
Indian batsman Shubman Gill survived a chance when Ben Stokes claimed to have taken a catch of the youngster. The on-field umpires referred the decision upstairs with the soft signal of 'Out'.
The third umpire saw the replays and decided that the England all-rounder had not taken the catch cleanly. Replays indicated that the ball had touched the ground a bit.
However, there needs to be some conclusive evidence to overrule the soft signal of the on-field umpires. Shamshuddin did not wait long enough to get conclusive evidence and gave Gill a chance. This sparked a controversy.
Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar believed that Shamshuddin should have taken his time during both the calls and come to a conclusion better.
Sanjay Manjrekar tweeted, "TV umpire was a bit too quick for my liking with that not-out call considering that soft signal was out. But it was the right call. Enough evidence to over rule the on- field soft signal."
TV umpire was a bit too quick for my liking with that not out call considering that soft signal was out. But it was the right call. Enough evidence to over rule the on- field soft signal.
— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) February 24, 2021
Later in the day, Rohit Sharma survived a stumping chance off Jack Leach. He dragged his back leg inside after being beaten off the outside edge.
Wicketkeeper Ben Foakes dislodged the bails in a flash and the square-leg umpire asked for the third umpire. Shamshuddin once again watched a couple of replays and ruled Rohit 'not out'.
Manjrekar posted another tweet saying, "TV umpire may note that like the players for DRS, he does not have a timer on his decision, he could take his time."
TV umpire may note that like the players for DRS, he does not have a timer on his decision, he could take his time.????
— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) February 24, 2021
