New controversy: MS Dhoni given out after showing a wrong replay

Dhoni was given caught out off a No Ball from Edwards

Forget about implementation of DRS or using high quality technology in cricket matches for correct decisions when the TV broadcaster shows a wrong replay to the 3rd umpire and the public that costs the bating side a wicket. Yes, such unthinkable incident happened on the Day 1 of the 2nd test between India and West Indies. Captain of India was given caught out off a no ball from Fiedel Edwards.

The new controversy will certainly give a new twist to the series which is already in news for poor umpiring standards. When India was on 167-5 in the 59th over of the innings, Dhoni gave Chanderpaul fielding at mid on a catch on the last delivery of the 59th over. Chanderpaul took the catch but the umpire Ian Gould stopped Dhoni from leaving the ground. Gould had doubts that Edwards had overstepped while bowling that particular ball and contacted the 3rd umpire to check whether that delivery was a legitimate one. The replay shown clearly displayed that Edwards’ foot was inside the crease, so Dhoni had to depart. Shockingly, it has come to the fore that the replay shown was not that of the 58.6 delivery rather was of some previous legitimate delivery. The real delivery, the 58.6 th one was indeed a no ball as suspected by umpire Ian Gould.

Dhoni, who was out after adding only 2 runs to the score, could have steered India to score more than 201 it could finally post. Incidentally, Suresh Raina was also victim of poor umpiring in the same innings when he was given caught out even when the ball has not touched his bat. Later, Raina was fined for expressing disappointment over this wrong decision. Umpire’s fault but the player got punished.

The recent controversy may take a bigger form as BCCI can toughen its stand on using technology in the cricket matches showing how individual mistakes like this can affect the progress of match. The person responsible for this goof up must be punished and the TV broadcasters must also look into the case and make sure that nothing of this sort happens in the future.