Day 1 of the fifth and final Test between India and England at The Oval in London witnessed high drama when Sri Lankan umpire Kumar Dharmasena made a questionable decision that impacted the use of the Decision Review System (DRS).
During the 13th over of India’s innings, England’s Josh Tongue delivered a sharp inswinging yorker to Sai Sudharsan. The ball struck Sai Sudharsan on the pad after what seemed to be an inside edge. England appealed for an LBW, but Dharmasena signaled a clear inside edge by gesturing with his finger. This subtle signal dissuaded England from opting for a review, even though replays later confirmed a bat-pad contact.
The incident triggered a wave of criticism, with many experts questioning Dharmasena’s conduct. Former Indian batting coach and cricketer Sanjay Bangar, speaking on Star Sports, expressed his frustration. He argued that such habits from umpires—gesturing before a review—is a leftover behavior from the pre-DRS era and must be avoided now. Bangar emphasized that this unintentional cue could influence the bowling side’s decision, which goes against the spirit of the modern review system.
Indian Umpire Steps In to Defend Dharmasena
Despite the backlash, Indian umpire Anil Chaudhary offered a contrasting view. Speaking to MyKhel, Chaudhary defended Dharmasena’s actions by suggesting the gesture was unintentional and occurred in the flow of the moment. He noted that such situations often arise even in domestic matches, emphasizing that while the DRS window of 15 seconds is critical, mistakes can still happen, especially under pressure.
Kumar Dharmasena, a respected umpire and a member of Sri Lanka’s 1996 World Cup-winning team, has been involved in international cricket for years. However, this controversy has highlighted the continued scrutiny faced by umpires, especially in high-stakes Test matches. As technology continues to shape modern cricket, such incidents serve as reminders of the delicate balance between human instincts and protocol.
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