"You could see him drop his head" - Pat Cummins makes big claim on Yashasvi Jaiswal's contentious dismissal in 4th BGT 2024-25 Test

Australian captain Pat Cummins has opined that the third umpire made the right decision by declaring Yashasvi Jaiswal caught behind on Day 5 of the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne on Monday, December 30. The fast bowler claimed that Jaiswal's head dropped once the decision was referred upstairs, which was an acknowledgment that he had hit the bat.

Jaiswal top-scored for India with 84 in a chase of 340. The visitors were bowled out for 155, losing the game by 184 runs. The left-hander was dismissed in contentious fashion. He attempted a pull off Cummins but ended up being adjudged caught behind.

The on-field umpire did not raise his finger after which Australia took the DRS. The Snickometer did not show a spike as the ball passed close to the bat and glove. However, there was a deviation in the path of the ball, enough for third umpire Sharfulddoula Saikat to overturn the on-field decision.

While Jaiswal was visibly agitated with the verdict, Cummins asserted that the right call had been made. Speaking at the post-match press conference, he said (as quoted by India Today):

“I think it was clear that he hit it. I heard a noise (and) saw deviation. So I was absolutely certain that he hit it. As soon as we referred it, you could see him drop his head and basically acknowledge that he hit it."

Chasing a target of 340, India got off to a horror start, losing three wickets for 33 runs. However, Jaiswal and Rishabh Pant (30) batted through the entire second session to give the visitors hope. The latter, however, perished early in the last session after which the Indian innings fell apart.

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"More often than not, we fall on the wrong side of such decisions" - Rohit Sharma on Jaiswal’s dismissal

Indian captain Rohit Sharma also shared his thoughts on Jaiswal's controversial dismissal on Day 5 of the Boxing Day Test. While admitting that the right decision was made, he lamented that India mostly falls on the wrong side of such close calls.

"It didn't show in Snicko, but with the naked eye, there was a clear deflection. In all fairness, it looked like he touched it. But, more often than not, we fall on the wrong side of such decisions," Rohit stated.

Jaiswal was dismissed for 84 off 208 balls, a resolute knock which featured eight fours. In the first innings, he had contributed 82 off 118 balls but ended up getting run out after a horrible mix-up with Virat Kohli.