A massive drama-filled episode unfolded during the Day 4 of the second Test between India and England when a big confusion emerged about a DRS call. England’s Tom Hartley played a reverse-sweep shot, and was caught in the slips by India skipper Rohit Sharma. The on-field umpire didn’t hesitate in raising his finger but Hartley reviewed immediately. A lengthy review of the matter showed that the ball had hit Hartley’s forearm, and hence, the on-field decision had to be reversed.
However, confusion intensified after the third umpire checked for LBW dismissal too even though there was no appeal for leg-before. Ball tracking then showed the umpire’s call for LBW, but Hartley remained not-out.
Tom Hartley initially given out for a caught-out, but upon review, no inside edge, the ball hitting Hartley’s arm.
The third umpire applies the Hand Before Wicket rule, and it turns out to be umpire’s call.
Hartley is given NOT OUT! pic.twitter.com/IHb4RIm8FW
— Yogesh Yadav (@yogeshydv03) February 5, 2024
#IndvEng Glove not found…
Given NOT OUT in DRS..
It was given OUT!! on field…
Hartley survives.. Ashwin stuck on 499 pic.twitter.com/LYa4hCWFxJ
— Anurag Sinha (@anuragsinha1992) February 5, 2024
Puzzled by the affair in the middle, Rohit confronted the umpire asking why Hartley should remain not-out if the on-field decision was out. The umpire then explained to the India skipper that the decision was out from the on-field umpire for a catch in the slips, and not LBW.
India, however, didn’t have to wait for long for a breakthrough after the incident, with Jasprit Bumrah striking to break the Ben Foakes-Tom Hartley partnership. A few overs later, Mukesh Kumar bagged his first wicket of the innings to dismiss debutant Shoaib Bashir.
It was Bumran who struck again to deliver England the final blow and help India level the 5-match series 1-1. He dismissed Tom Hartley who fought really hard for his 36 off 47 balls to keep England in the hunt for a win.
Though England’s ‘Bazball’ approach didn’t reap the reward it wanted, Ben Stokes’ men did come close to doing the unthinkable against India.
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