Rishabh Pant’s wicket on day 3 of the ongoing third Test between India and New Zealand in Mumbai., became the talking point of the day’s play. Pant, along with Washington Sundar was motoring along as India was looking to chase down a 147-run target to avoid a clean sweep at home.
New Zealand had resumed their second innings on 171/9 and were bowled out for 174 runs. Ravindra Jadeja starred with 5/55, completing a 10-wicket haul and R Ashwin took three wickets.
However, the Indian batting collapsed in their chase from the very start. Rohit Sharma fell to Matt Henry for 11, and the rest of the batters fell to spin. Yashasvi Jaiswal (5), Virat Kohli (1), Shubman Gil (1), Sarfaraz Khan (1), and Ravindra Jadeja (6) all fell to the spin of Ajaz Patel and Glenn Phillips.
At 29/5, Rishabh Pant took over and counter-attacked the New Zealand spinners scoring at a brisk pace. He made 64 in 57 balls with 9 fours and 1 six. It looked like Pant would single-handedly take India past the winning line.
However, on the 4th ball of the 22nd over, Rishabh Pant played a forward defensive shot to Ajaz Patel and the ball seemingly hit the pad and ballooned in the air, where Tom Blundell caught it.
Patel and New Zealanders made a huge appeal, but the on-field umpire was unmoved. The replays showed a possible gap between the bat and the pad, while the ultraedge showed a spike as the ball went past the edge. But at the same time, the bat had also hit the pad and there was confusion.
After taking his time, the TV umpire decided that there was enough evidence for him to give Rishabh Pant out. Pant even pointed out to the on-field umpire that the bat had hit the pad and was left speechless after being given out.
This led to several on social media questioning the decision of TV umpire and one of them was former South Africa captain BA de Villiers.
De Villiers pointed out the snicko showing spike as the bat hit the pad, while the ball passed the edge at the same time and questioned why the hotspot was not being used. He even said that he doubted where there was an edge or deviation.
India managed only 121 runs and lost the Test by 25 runs, with Ajza Patel taking 6 wickets in the innings for the second time and 11 wickets in the match.
New Zealand created history by white-washing India 3-0 in India for the first time since 2000. This was the first time New Zealand whitewashed India in a Test series in India.
