Credit: Star Sports
Umpire Kumar Dharmasena is in the midst of controversy following visuals of him showing a probable inside edge to England in the opening session on Day 1 of the Oval Test have emerged on social media. The incident occurred in the 13th over of the contest when a delivery from England speedster Josh Tongue struck Sai Sudharsan’s pads. The hosts appealed against the India southpaw and Dharmasena gave the verdict in India’s favour. Dharmasena’s decision eventually proved correct but he was spotted alluding to the bowling side that the ball hit the inside edge before making contact with the pads even before the stipulated 15-second DRS timer ended.
England didn’t go for the review and this incident caught the attention of Team India supporters who expressed their ire on social media. An X user named MK accused Dharmasena of fixing. He wrote, “Why is Sri Lankan umpire Kumar Dharmasena telling the English bowler that it's a clear edge by showing his fingers? @ICC what's going on ? Clearly he is fixing there because he showed that signal that's why English fielders don't appeal after that and don't go for review #INDVsENG #Fixing.”
India in trouble after losing three quick wickets under 100 runs
Team India are currently in trouble as they have lost their three star batters Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, and Shubman Gill under 100 runs. After the rain interruption, when Gill and Sudharsan walked out in the middle, the former got run out at the hands of Gus Atkinson. The India captain concluded his knock after scoring only 21 off 35.
Eyes are now set on Sudharsan and Karun Nair, who haven’t been upto the mark in the series, so far. The current circumstance is the perfect opportunity for both batters to step up and rescue the team from this situation. As of writing, India are 85/3 in 30 overs, with Sudharsan playing at an unbeaten 28 off 90 while Nair is yet to score his first run.
