Controversial Decision Review System (DRS) third umpire’s call Richard Kettleborough It drew widespread criticism from fans, commentators and Team India on the second day of the Pink Ball Test in Adelaide. The incident happened late in the first session of the Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin Australia is prone to trap Mitchell Marsh lbw.
Judge 3 cites inconclusive evidence
Ashwin was confident in his appeal, convincing the captain Rohit Sharma review the on-field referee’s decision not to stay off the field. Initial replays showed Marsh attempting to defend the pass as it moved down the track, the ball hitting the pitch without the inside edge being detected. However, the third umpire cited inconclusive evidence based on Snicko and immediately upheld the on-field call without continuing to watch the ball.
Replays show a different story
Subsequent replays, including a magnified version, suggested the ball had indeed hit Marsh’s pitch first. The revelation left commentators confused as to why the third umpire did not use ball-tracking technology to confirm the ball’s trajectory and probability of hitting the stumps.
The sudden decision-making process angered fans and cricket experts alike as they questioned the lack of thorough analysis at such a critical juncture. The Indian camp seemed visibly displeased and social media was abuzz with reactions condemning the third umpire’s decision.
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Cricket fans expressed their anger on various platforms, calling the decision “unprofessional” and “a mockery of DRS”. Some highlighted the inconsistency of using DRS protocols and called for a review of the system to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Here’s how the fans reacted:
I have seen some strange things in cricket but Marsh’s dismissal was as strange as any!
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) December 7, 2024
Marsh was pad first. An Indian batsman could not survive the gaze of the third umpire.
— Prasanna MR (@mrprasanna23) December 7, 2024
Mitchell Marsh was lbw on Ashwin’s ball but the umpire didn’t give it, The ball first hit the Pad & Then it hit the 3rd bat What’s the point of technology in cricket when you don’t make the right decisions?#AUSWIND #TeamIndia #Pushpa2TheRule pic.twitter.com/Qvwzm3ETdv
— paritoshtechnical.techno (@paritoshtechni1) December 7, 2024
Marsh was ultimately absent due to an impact call by the umpire.
But this terrible use of technology by broadcaster Fox and the hasty decision by the 3rd DRS judge in 2 back-to-back tests is seriously questionable.
If that doesn’t improve, get ready for Deja-Vu of the 2008-09 BGT. pic.twitter.com/qLBGy4QmNL
— Gss🇮🇳 (@Gss_Views) December 7, 2024
#IndvAus Controversy!!! Controversy!!
PAD looked 1st..
Ashwin went for DRS..
3rd umpire Kettleborough says 1st bat.
It would have been funny if this was an Indian batsman.. 1st pad..
Slomo shows clear PAD 1.. Batsman Marsh.. pic.twitter.com/J5kdDKmo9x
— Anurag Sinha (@anuragsinha1992) December 7, 2024
KL Rahul was removed in the 1st match and Mitchell Marsh was not on the same basis today. The 3rd Judge is a clown. Australian hypocrisy 🤡🤡#INDvsAUS #AUSWIND pic.twitter.com/8PciC7QZpm
— Akshat (@AkshatOM10) December 7, 2024
Looks like Aus are playing with 12th man in 3rd Umpire uniform.
Mitch Marsh was definitely out, the 3rd Referee ruled there was no conclusive evidence at 10 seconds, while in the next picture we could all see Pad 1.
Once a cheater always a cheater @CricketAus#INDvsAUS pic.twitter.com/kKCrLIWfQ3— Hitman (@Hitman_views) December 7, 2024
How obvious it is, first turn to Mitch Marsh. Even David Warner and Harsha Bhogle agree. The third referee should have reviewed it from more angles than just from the side.
Here’s a slow zoom view from the front – pic.twitter.com/ZY9B6bXb8Y
— Philliphere (@thephilliphere) December 7, 2024
Third grade referee by the 3rd referee. He didn’t follow protocol, he didn’t go after the ball. The video replay team did not provide a final video. They did, but they favored Marsh after the decision. pic.twitter.com/cooKdv3rV9
— Pramod Kumar Singh (@SinghPramod2784) December 7, 2024
Ravi Ashwin v Mitchell Marsh.
– The ball hits the field first, but the 3rd Umpire says there is no conclusive evidence to overturn the field umpire’s decision..!!😡
– MANU. (@Manojy9812) December 7, 2024
My honest reaction after seeing the third judge’s decision 😡 #INDvsAUS cheating #INDvAUS Marsh pic.twitter.com/V7qZ7SGNfM
— Siju Moothedath (@SijuMoothedath) December 7, 2024
In the 1st match, KL Rahul was dismissed and Shaun Marsh today, not on the same basis. The 3rd Judge is a clown. Australian hypocrisy 🤡🤡#INDvsAUS #AUSWIND pic.twitter.com/i4Yy7bAvOr
— __khushal______ (@khushal82649874) December 7, 2024
Third grade referee by the 3rd referee. He didn’t follow protocol, he didn’t go after the ball. The video replay team did not provide a final video. They did, but they favored Marsh after the decision.
Fraudsters #INDvsAUS pic.twitter.com/w3qYdx33nR
— CRICKET LOVE (@GaneshK55461720) December 7, 2024
Bad decision by the 3rd umpire on Marsh. I thought he hit the king first. Fortunately, the impact was the umpire’s call and so it wouldn’t have come out anyway. #AUSWIND
— Scott Rea (@ScottRea) December 7, 2024
According to the 3rd judge, there was no solid evidence to remove Marsh 🤔
Look at the first ball that hits, it’s the pads first 😡
The referee always belongs to the Aussies.#INDvsAUS #INDvAUS #HONESTVsIN #AUSWIND #BorderGavaskarTrophy pic.twitter.com/wklF6Fo92L— Munesh Yadav🇮🇳 (@95MuneshYadav) December 7, 2024
