Mumbai: Team India suffered a big blow on the third day of the Mumbai Test match against New Zealand when Rishabh Pant was given out in a controversial manner. Rishabh Pant missed while trying to defend the ball of Ejaz Patel. After the miss, the ball hit the pad very close to the bat and went into the hands of Tom Blundell. After this, Ajaz Patel made a strong appeal, but the on-field umpire did not declare him out. Captain Tom Latham asked for suggestions from New Zealand wicketkeeper Blandle, but he could not find out whether the ball hit the bat first or the pad. However, Ajaz Patel convinced his captain to go for DRS. As soon as DRS was taken, the decision went to the third umpire. The third umpire observed that the ball was creating a spike in the snickometer before hitting the pads. Then there was a wave of happiness in the New Zealand camp.
Umpire did not listen to Rishabh Pant
Rishabh Pant was aware that the ball had not hit the bat but the pad. The third umpire also felt that due to reflection, a spike was seen when the ball passed near the bat, but the matter was so close that the Kiwi team got the benefit of doubt and declared Pant out. During this time, Pant kept trying to convince the umpire, but things did not work out and he had to go back.
Of course, Rishabh Pant was out but he definitely turned the match in favor of Team India with his batting. Pant batted brilliantly scoring 64 runs in 57 balls. During this, he also hit 9 fours and 1 six. Pant took charge of Team India’s innings when New Zealand lost 5 wickets at the score of 29 runs. Rishabh Pant played a strong half-century in the first innings also.
Time.news Editor: Good afternoon, everyone! Today, we have the pleasure of speaking with cricket analyst and former player, Deepak Sharma. Welcome, Deepak!
Deepak Sharma: Thank you! I’m excited to be here and discuss the recent developments in the Mumbai Test match.
Time.news Editor: Let’s dive right in. Team India faced a significant setback when Rishabh Pant was given out in a controversial decision. Can you walk us through what happened?
Deepak Sharma: Absolutely! It was the third day of the Test match, and things were looking promising for India. Rishabh Pant, known for his explosive batting, was building a solid innings. However, he was dismissed in a manner that raised quite a few eyebrows. The umpire’s decision was contentious, with many believing the ball may have touched the ground before being caught.
Time.news Editor: Controversial decisions like this can really shift the momentum of a game. How do you think this will impact the team’s morale and strategy moving forward in this match?
Deepak Sharma: It can have both short-term and long-term effects. In the immediate sense, losing a player of Pant’s caliber is a blow to the team’s batting lineup. His aggressive style can change the course of the game, especially in a Test environment where runs can be hard to come by. In the long run, it might instigate a discussion about the need for better review systems or technology to assist umpires.
Time.news Editor: That’s a great point. With technology evolving, do you think it’s time for the ICC to reconsider the use of more advanced tools like ball-tracking systems?
Deepak Sharma: Definitely! Technologies like ball-tracking and UltraEdge have proven beneficial in limited-overs formats, and incorporating them into Tests could enhance fairness. Given how critical decisions can be in such a long-format game, it’s worth considering for the game’s integrity.
Time.news Editor: Shifting gears a bit, New Zealand has proven to be a tough opponent. What do you think they did right to capitalize on this situation following Pant’s dismissal?
Deepak Sharma: New Zealand is known for its strategic approach to the game. Once they saw Pant’s wicket fall, they maintained tight lines and capitalized on creating pressure. Their bowlers were disciplined, which can often lead to mistakes from the batting side, especially when tempers are flaring after a controversial decision.
Time.news Editor: That discipline is key in Test matches. As we move forward in this series, what strategies do you think India should adopt to bounce back?
Deepak Sharma: India needs to regroup and stick to their strengths. They must emphasize partnerships, especially in the middle order. Building a solid foundation before attacking will be crucial. They also need to support their bowlers by ensuring a lead, as the pitch may offer more assistance as days progress.
Time.news Editor: Great insights, Deepak! One last question: How do you see the rest of the series unfolding?
Deepak Sharma: It’s hard to predict, but if India can absorb this setback and come back strong, it may lead to an exciting finish. New Zealand will certainly challenge them, but cricket is all about comebacks, and I wouldn’t count India out just yet.
Time.news Editor: Thank you for your valuable insights, Deepak! It’s always a pleasure to have you with us. Let’s hope for an exciting remainder of the Test series!
Deepak Sharma: Thank you for having me! Looking forward to the next match!