Ranji Trophy: Huge controversy in Punjab-Delhi game; Shubman Gill ‘abuses’ umpire

India Under-19 World Cup star Shubman Gill was at the centre of a huge controversy during the Punjab-Delhi Ranji Trophy match in Mohali

Mohali: A huge controversy erupted in Mohali on Friday (January 3) on the opening day of the Ranji Trophy Elite Group A match between Punjab and Delhi.

At the Punjab Cricket Association IS Bindra Stadium, India Under-19 World Cup star Shubman Gill was given out caught behind the wicket by the on-field umpire but he refused to go back to the pavilion. This triggered a chain of controversial events.

As Gill refused to leave the field, the umpire in question, Mohamad Rafi, overturned the decision. This left Delhi players angry and they protested by leaving the field. Then, match referee P Ranganathan intervened to calm things down.

After all the drama had unfolded and the match referee convinced the Delhi players to resume playing, the game continued.

The 20-year-old Gill did not benefit from the reprieve as he was given out soon, caught by Anuj Rawat off Simarjeet Singh. This time, the decision was correct, felt the opening batsman and left the field.

According to Punjab vice-captain Nitish Rana, Gill, who has played two ODIs for India, “abused” umpire Rafi, who was making his Ranji Trophy debut.

Earlier, Punjab won the toss and chose to bat first. The team is captained by Mandeep Singh. Dhruv Shorey is leading Delhi.