Joe Root left furious after TV umpire farce hurts England in second Test with India

England’s efforts in the second Test against India were nearly turned into a farce thanks to a woeful third umpire decision that allowed Ajinkya Rahane a second life at the crease.

The controversy took place in the 75th over, when Jack Leach bowled to Rahane, who sought to sweep. The ball kicked up off the turf and came to Ollie Pope at short leg via Rahane’s glove, causing the England team to appeal enthusiastically.

On-field umpire Virender Sharma gave a not out decision, which Joe Root immediately reviewed. 

India’s Ajinkya Rahane gloved the ball to Ollie Pope off Jack Leach but survived an appeal

However, the TV umpire Anil Chaudhary did not examine the delivery beyond the ball passing the bat, meaning he didn’t watch any replays of the ball clearly touching Rahane’s glove on its way to Pope, which was the crux of England’s review.

Chaudhary then confirmed the not out decision, to Root and England’s utter bafflement and fury, with England losing a review. Root then pleaded with the umpires to re-watch the footage but his requests were turned down.

Pundit Mark Butcher in the commentary box was perplexed, when shortly after the incident viewers at home saw an Ultra-Edge replay showing the ball hitting Rahane’s glove.

Rahane has earlier celebrated after scoring a fifty during the first day of the second Test between India and England

‘It’s pretty much plain as day,’ Butcher said.  ‘Joe (Root) was absolutely furious.’

Observers on social media also expressed their disgust with the situation. 

Former England captain Michael Vaughan was particularly scathing of the umpire, saying: ‘Is the Third umpire p*****!!!! He is having a stinker.

Indian pundit Harsha Bhogle admitted the review was badly dealt with, before questioning if the umpires knew they had made a poor call. 

He said: ‘The appeal for a catch against Rahane, before he got out, was quite poorly handled. Should have checked snicko on the way up. By allowing England to retain the review, have they admitted they were wrong?’

Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell was also left baffled by the call, tweeting: ‘How can a third umpire not look at that?!?!’

Justice was seemingly restored when Rahane was then bowled by Moeen Ali in the next over for 67. 

Completing the farce, England then had their lost review reinstated, a move that is being viewed as tantamount to an admission of the third umpire’s error. 

England were likely feeling aggrieved with the third umpire before the Rahane incident, after Rohit Sharma survived an incredibly marginal stumping decision a few over previously.