The Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA) raised concerns about the umpiring after securing a surprising five-wicket win over Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy Elite Group A match. They filed an official complaint with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) regarding umpiring decisions in the game.
Mumbai’s chances of qualifying for the next stage of the Ranji Trophy took a major blow after their recent defeat. Jammu and Kashmir moved to the top of Group A, and Mumbai dropped to third place. Even if the defending champions win their next match against Meghalaya, qualification remains uncertain.
Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association Files Official Complaint with BCCI
According to the Times of India, the JKCA filed an official complaint with the BCCI over umpiring issues. The complaint highlighted two controversial decisions: Abid Mushtaq being given out lbw despite the ball seemingly pitching outside the leg-stump and Shreyas Iyer being ruled not out after a clear edge.
“Yes, we have lodged an official complaint with the BCCI about the standard of umpiring in the match. We have pointed out a couple of decisions which went against the J&K team-Abid Mushtaq being given out lbw (off Mohit Avasthi) in the first innings, when the ball seemed to be have pitched outside the leg-stump.
“And Mumbai’s middle-order batsman Shreyas Iyer being given not out despite having clearly edged the ball. Since I was present at the ground and watching the match, I was dismayed by some of the umpiring decisions, which were quite apalling” JKCA administrator Brig, as quoted by TOI.
Umpires Navdeep Singh, Sundaram Ravi, and Match Referee Nitin Goel Face Criticism
Umpires Navdeep Singh and Sundaram Ravi, along with match referee Nitin Goel, faced criticism for their decisions in the recent match between Jammu and Kashmir and Mumbai. On Day 2, a controversial moment occurred when Shreyas Iyer survived a loud caught-behind appeal off Umran Nazir’s bowling.
The sound was heard by everyone, including the wicketkeeper. Ravi, the umpire, failed to hear the edge, leading to discontent. Later, Ravi called Mumbai’s Ajinkya Rahane caught behind, and the batter had crossed the boundary ropes. He then ruled Nazir’s delivery as a no-ball, without any replay evidence to support it.
This Has Been Going On for Years – Jammu and Kashmir Captain Paras Dogra
Jammu and Kashmir captain Paras Dogra dismissed the controversy surrounding the umpiring, stating that errors are part and parcel of the game. He acknowledged that umpires are human and prone to mistakes, emphasizing that such incidents have occurred for years.
“This has been going on for years and there’s nothing much that we can do about it. Umpires are human after all and can make mistakes. But had they been a bit more attentive, it would have been fun. But it’s part and parcel of the game, and that’s why they got the DRS,” Dogra said.