Jasprit Bumrah has officially become the first Indian bowler to claim 100 wickets in T20 Internationals, a momentous achievement during the first T20I against South Africa in Cuttack. However, the celebration has been tempered by a controversial umpiring decision concerning his milestone wicket.
The incident occurred in the 11th over when Bumrah dismissed South African batter Dewald Brevis. Brevis mistimed a pull shot, resulting in a catch by Suryakumar Yadav. The focus immediately shifted to Bumrah’s front foot, with replays suggesting a possible no-ball infringement.
Navigating the complexities of review technology, the third umpire reviewed the front-foot positioning. Despite the visuals appearing borderline, and with obstructed views from certain angles, the decision was made to rule Brevis out. This ruling has ignited a firestorm on social media, with many accusing the umpire of a significant error.
Online discussions are polarized, with numerous users pointing out that Bumrah seemingly overstepped the crease. The ambiguity stemming from the obstructed camera angles has only intensified the debate surrounding the validity of the dismissal. “Is he blind?” one user questioned regarding the third umpire’s judgment.
While the controversy raged, the game itself proceeded with India in a dominant position. South Africa’s batting lineup faltered, and Brevis’s dismissal, whether correct or not, didn’t significantly alter the trajectory of the match. India’s bowlers put on a stellar performance, bundling out the Proteas for their lowest T20I score of 74, clinching a comprehensive victory.