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India vs England 2020-21, 4th T20I: Suryakumar's controversial dismissal questions soft signals relevance

India and England are involved in an intense five-match Twenty20 International series, with the fourth T20I being a do-or-die for the former. Suryakumar Yadav played a stellar knock of 57 before being controversially dismissed, sparking the soft signal call debate.

India vs England 2020-21, 4th T20I: Suryakumar's controversial dismissal questions soft signals relevance-ayh
Author
Motera, First Published Mar 18, 2021, 10:07 PM IST

Team India is currently engaged in an intense five-match Twenty20 International series against England, with the fourth T20I putting up a show. The match was headlined by debutant batsman Suryakumar Yadav during the Indian innings, who slammed a worthy 57.

However, it was his dismissal that got the internet talking. During the second ball of the 14th over from pacer Sam Curran, Suryakumar swept it towards deep fine leg, only to be caught by Dawid Malan. Since the latter had dived to claim the catch, the on-field umpires referred it to the third umpire, with the soft signal being not out.

However, multiple replays suggested that the catch was not a clean one, with the ball touching the ground. Meanwhile, third umpire Virender Sharma was left unconvinced as he repeatedly kept saying that the view of ‘inconclusive’, thereby sticking to the soft signal.

It sparked an uproar on social media, with fans and critics slamming the umpire. Meanwhile, some were smart enough to point out that it was the soft signal that made no sense. Sky Sports commentator and former English skipper Michael Atherton said, “The third umpire had a long look at that and the key thing here - and it is a thing I have a slight problem with - is the on-field umpire’s call is out and therefore, the third umpire made exactly the right call: He said it is inconclusive, I’ve got to go with the on-field umpire’s call which was out.”

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“But, how you have a soft signal from the umpire standing in the middle for a boundary catch is beyond me. I don’t know how the on-field umpire can see that when the fielder makes a catch on the boundary,” he added, reports ESPNCricinfo.

Atherton was supported by Indian wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Karthik, who is commentating for Sky as well. “I’m absolutely with Athers on that. I don’t understand this: the umpire is not sure whether it’s taken or not; hence he goes to the third umpire. And then why give a decision at all? Allow the third umpire to take the call. Another grey area of cricket along with the DRS umpire’s call - these are things always up for debate.”

Former English spinner Graeme Swann took to Twitter to say, “Personally, and do bear in mind that as a bowler, I thought everything was out; I think that was a stinking decision.” Meanwhile, England’s Test pacer Stuart Broad replied to it, stating, “It’s the “soft signal” which is odd. Hard for off-field umpire to overturn. ‘Let’s go upstairs cause I don’t have a clue, but I’m guessing (soft signal) it’s out.’ Malan’s Twitter feed will be ugly- but he wouldn’t have known the ball hit the ground diving forward at pace.”

Also, former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra felt that the soft signal rule needed a change. “Time to take a Hard Call on the Soft Signal. The moment it’s outside the circle, it should be outside the purview of the on-field umpire. It’s unfair to blame the umpires...on-field and the third umpire. It’s the rule that needs changing,” he tweeted.

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