A run out reprieve for England batsman Ben Stokes caused uproar among cricket pundits and fans alike in the second India-England ODI.
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The incident occurred in the 26th over of England’s chase, bowled by Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Stokes, returning for a second, slowed down before sliding his bat in, and was caught off guard by a direct hit.
The decision was sent upstairs, and TV umpire Anil Chaudary deliberated for what felt like an age. Though it seemed like the ball hit the stumps with Stokes short, when the bail lit up, it was a decision of millimetres.
When the ‘not out’ verdict came, there was general disbelief, even among English fans and pundits.
https://twitter.com/benjonescricket/status/1375452494835429381
At least it wasn't costly.
— Dave Tickner (@tickerscricket) March 26, 2021
Oh come on! OUT surely. #INDvENG
— Raunak Kapoor (@RaunakRK) March 26, 2021
Such was the instantaneous nature of the shock that several posted screenshots of their timelines suddenly filled with similar opinions.
— Alex from King Cricket (@TheKingsTweets) March 26, 2021
Cricket Twitter raises a finger. ☝🏻#INDvENG pic.twitter.com/fILg2Ya7jX
— Melinda Farrell (@melindafarrell) March 26, 2021
Some felt it was nothing more than England deserved after a tour in which they have found themselves on the wrong end of several questionable umpiring calls.
https://twitter.com/JEAckland/status/1375453178649530368
And there were a few to agree with the decision, on the basis that the benefit of the doubt should go to the batsmen in such marginal cases.
Good umpiring. Unclear. Therefore not out.
— Tunku Varadarajan (@tunkuv) March 26, 2021
https://twitter.com/cricketingview/status/1375456573192073226
On 33 at the time, Stokes made the most of his life, smashing 66 off his next 25 balls to put England in a dominant position. They eventually chased down 336 with more than six overs to spare.
