 "Paul Reiffel's umpring in India vs england Test series has been critcised by fans as well. Image: Reuters")
Former India cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin has questioned Paul Reiffel’s umpiring in the ongoing Lord’s Test between India and England. The former Australian all-rounder Reiffel has been facing a lot of criticism from Indian fans already after being involved in multiple controversial decisions in the third Test.
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On Day 4, he refused to give Joe Root out, LBW, off Mohammed Siraj. The replays later showed that the ball would have hit the leg stump but umpire’s call saved Root. This led to Siraj staring down at Reiffel.
India captain Shubman Gill was also given out by Reiffel for a caught behind off Brydon Carse, but replays showed that there was no contact between the ball and the bat.
Ashwin criticises Reiffel umpiring in Team India matches
While speaking about Reiffel’s officiating, the former spinner Ravichandran Ashwin pointed out that the Australian is always less keen to give a batter out when India is bowling.
“My experience with Paul Reiffel…I want to talk to him. I am not saying that I should tell him that give it out. It’s not like that. Whenever India bowls, he always feels it’s not out. Whenever India bats, he always feels it’s out. If it’s not against India but against all teams, then ICC has to see towards it,” Ashwin said on his YouTube show Ash ki Baat.
Ashwin also pointed out another dismissal of an Indian batter, which was given out by Reiffel despite a big gap between bat and pad.
“I own a car, a sedan, which I can park through the gap between the bat and ball. It’s clear it was not out. But this is not the first time. My father was watching the match with me. And he told me, ‘whenever Paul Reiffel comes, India will not win.’ Even Mike Atherton and Nasser Hussain said the umpires could have acted a bit firm with players taking time,” Ashwin added.
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View AllFormer India captain Anil Kumble had also criticised Reiffel’s umpiring during commentary on Day 4. “It seems Paul Reiffel has decided that it is not going to be out. Anything close, not out,” Kumble said.