Former India allrounder Irfan Pathan took a cheeky dig at Pat Cummins and his Australian team for asking a DRS on the umpire’s review. Pathan expressed his surprise at Cummins’ behavior and reminded them that it was not the year 2008.
The 2008 Test series between Australia and India is famously known for its controversial umpiring decisions which cost India the series. During the course of the series, there was an incident when Michael Clarke took a catch of Sourav Ganguly and Australia’s captain Ricky Ponting signaled out to the umpire.
Surprisingly, the umpire didn’t even bother to send it upstairs and immediately gave it out after Ponting’s signal. Later, it was found that the ball had bounced on its way to the fielder but that didn’t matter as Ganguly was already dismissed.
Watch: “Har ball kone se” – Virat Kohli plots dismissal of Steve Smith for Mohammed Siraj
Irfan Pathan rips apart Pat Cummins for asking a DRS on umpire’s review
Irfan Pathan referred to this particular incident and took a dig at Australia’s captain Pat Cummins for not complying with the third umpire’s decision. While speaking on Star Sports during commentary, Pathan expressed his views and claimed that Australia thinks they are still in 2008.
“Umpire ke review pe review maangte huye Pat Cummins. Australia ko lag raha hai ki yeh 2008 hai. Nahi, nahi, nahi, 2008 nahi hai yeh (Pat Cummins asking for a DRS on umpire’s review. Australia think it is 2008. No, no, no, this isn’t 2008),” Irfan Pathan said.
Banter alert! 😁🫡
When #PatCummins called for a review, #IrfanPathan delivered a cheeky response that hit right on target! 🙌🏻#AUSvINDOnStar 👉 4th Test, Day 4, LIVE NOW! pic.twitter.com/Y8nnH7n7Fx
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) December 29, 2024
What was the whole controversy?
It happened early on Day 4 when Pat Cummins bowled a full ball outside off and Mohammed Siraj tried to play at it. It flew off the outside edge to Steve Smith at second slip and he took the catch. The Australian team was convinced that it was out they even tried to go back to the dressing room to prepare for the next innings since it was the last wicket.
However, the third umpire ruled Siraj not out much to the dismay of Pat Cummins and Australia. Cummins was clearly not pleased and was even seen signaling for a DRS to the umpire. However, the umpire didn’t allow Cummins to review the third umpire’s decision.
It was very unlike of Pat Cummins who is usually calm in these situations and doesn’t react this way. However, the emotions got to him this time and the players had to take back their positions again. It was a close decision but it seemed like the ball had hit the ground after taking the edge of the bat.
Nitish Kumar Reddy’s knock takes India to 369
India’s last wicket finally fell in the next over in the form of Nitish Kumar Reddy, who was dismissed by Nathan Lyon for a classy 114 off 189 balls. Reddy struck 11 fours and 1 six during this knock which will be etched in his memories forever.
It was his maiden Test hundred and it came on a big occasion like the Boxing Day Test at a time when his team needed him the most. Reddy’s knock took India to 369, however, Australia took a valuable first-innings lead of 105 runs.