The first ODI of the three-match series between India and New Zealand got underway at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Uppal, Hyderabad on January 18, 2023. While India routed Sri Lanka 3-0 recently in ODIs, New Zealand is coming off a 2-1 ODI series win over Pakistan.
Rohit Sharma started well by winning the toss and chose to bat first. Ishan Kishan replaced KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya came in for Akshar Patel and Shardul Thakur was included as well. New Zealand made changes as well with Williamson, Southee, and Sodhi going out.
India started off well with 60 runs for the first wicket before Rohit Sharma fell for 34 runs. Then Virat Kohli (8) and Ishan Kishan (5) fell in quick succession. But Shubman Gill continued his good form, adding 65 runs with Suryakumar Yadav (31), and 74 runs with Hardik Pandya (28).
Pandya was looking set and ready to launch an assault but on the 5th ball of the 35th over, the India vice-captain fell for 28 runs in a controversial fashion.
Hardik tried to guide a shortish ball from Daryl Mitchell towards the third man but missed the ball, which was pouched by keeper Tom Latham very close to the bail on the off stump. A few moments later the bail fell on the ground and Latham appealed in joy.
Replays showed that while the ball had not touched the bat on the Ultraedge and the ball didn't hit the off stump at all, which was shown to the third umpire with a split screen. However, the split screen also revealed that Latham’s gloves seemingly knocked off the bail in the process.
But the TV umpire gave Hardik Pandya out much to the surprise and shock of everyone.
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Former India opener Wasim Jaffer tweeted his reasons why Pandya should’ve been given not out.
Apart from Jaffer, Ashwin also tweeted pointing out that given how Latham’s glove dislodged the bail when Gill tried to cut the ball later, was a good indication that Pandya was not out.
