SA v IND 2021-22: Team India escape sanctions but cautioned for DRS comments against host broadcaster

Virat Kohli and company had accused the host broadcaster of tampering with DRS.

Indian players were livid by this DRS call | TwitterThe just-concluded Cape Town Test between India and South Africa hogged the limelight for a controversial DRS call, involving the home team’s skipper Dean Elgar.

Elgar was caught plumb by off-spinner R Ashwin in front of the stumps and umpire Marais Erasmus adjudged it out. However, the decision was overturned with the ball tracker suggesting that the ball would have gone over the stumps even though it hit Elgar just below the knee roll.

The decision left the Indian camp furious as the likes of Virat Kohli, KL Rahul and Ashwin alleged that the host broadcaster Supersport TV rigged DRS.

See Also: Cricket fraternity expresses shock over controversial DRS decision in Cape Town Test

Meanwhile, a report published in Cricbuzz suggests that the Indian team has been cautioned by Andy Pycroft, the match referee for the third Test match, for venting their anger against the host broadcaster via stump mic.

Pycroft is believed to have told the Indian team management that the players’ behaviour was uncalled for and they could attract sanctions if such reactions are repeated. However, it has been confirmed that there was no reprimand or charges against the team, the report stated.

According to the same report, Kohli and his men escaped sanctions as their ire was directed against the technology, and not against any official, and the ICC code does not have a clause for the criticism of the broadcaster or technology.

On Day 3 of the Test match, skipper Virat Kohli had vented out his frustration as he went up to the stumps and said: "Focus on your team as well when they shine the ball eh, not just the opposition. Trying to catch people all the time."

Ashwin was also caught saying: "You should find better ways to win Supersport", while Rahul was heard commenting: "Whole country playing against XI guys."

When asked about the incident during the post-match press conference on Friday (January 14), Kohli replied: “I have no comment to make. I understood what happened on the field and people on the outside don`t know exactly what goes on the field. So for me to try and justify what we did on the field and say `we got carried away... If we would have charged up and picked up three wickets there, that could have been probably the moment that could change the game.”

(With Cricbuzz inputs)

 
 

By Salman Anjum - 15 Jan, 2022

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