New Delhi, 20/3 (AO Bureau):
After the fourth T20 (India vs England T20I Series) between India and England, the dispute in the case of ‘Soft Signal Controversy’ has deepened. In such a situation, the time has come for the International Cricket Council (ICC) to take a tough stand on this issue. In fact, the controversial manner in which Indian batsman Suryakumar Yadav was dismissed in the fourth T20 has proved that the soft signal is not only looking wrong. Rather, its magnitude can be serious in future.
Let us know that in the fourth T20, Suryakumar Yadav played a paddle sweep off the ball of England fast bowler Sam Curran. The ball went to Dawid Malan standing on deep fine leg. Malan dived in front and caught the catch. However, there was doubt about whether the catch was caught cleanly or not. Hence the field umpire sought the help of the third umpire. But before that he gave a soft signal of out. Even in the TV replays, it was not known whether Malan had taken a clean catch or not. But due to rules, Suryakumar had to return to the pavilion after scoring 57 runs. While he worked to handle the Indian innings after the early dismissals of Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul and Virat Kohli.
The third umpire was also not convinced about the catch of Suryakumar Yadav.
After Suryakumar Yadav was given out in this manner, the umpire’s soft signal began to be questioned, because the replay of this catch of Malan was shown several times on TV. The umpire and the players standing on the ground, as well as the spectators watching the match on TV, also saw this catch. The umpire had also tried to check with every angle of the camera whether the catch was caught correctly or not. It took a long time. This makes it clear that it was not easy for the umpire to decide. After the advent of technology, a new dimension has been added to the game. Due to this, the experience of watching the game of fans has been improved. In such a situation, even if it takes some time to check a catch, then this delay is meaningful.