Watch: Did DRS Malfunction Cost India? Ravi Shastri Calls Joe Root Lucky
A DRS malfunction seems to have given England star Joe Root a lifeline in the first Test against India on Day 1.
The Indian cricket team didn't have the best of time with the DRS on Day 1 of the first Test against England. Rohit Sharma saw all three reviews going to waste as the hosts made some poor call. However, one call that India seemed to be getting in their favour went away probably because of a technological malfunction. Joe Root, trying to paddle sweep a delivery from Ravindra Jadeja, saw the ball hitting his pads. The umpire, however, turned down the loud appeal for LBW.
Jadeja remained convinced and persuaded skipper Rohit Sharma to take a review. The ultra edge showed a spike when the ball was passing the bat. But, the spike was there even before the ball had reached the edge of the bat. The third umpire took his time, evaluating different angles and possibilities but couldn't find anything conclusive.Â
The umpire, hence, gave the decision in the favour of the batter. Here's the video:
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Former India head coach Ravi Shastri, a commentator for the series, felt that there was a gap between the bat and the ball, suggesting Root got lucky.Â
"I think he got away with one. The spike came even before the ball reached his bat," he said.
Kevin Pietersen, accompanying Shastri in the commentary box, felt the evidence was inconclusive, hence the decision went in the favour of the batter.
Root didn't do much with the bat after the lifeline, scoring 29 runs from 60 balls in total. India's spinners dominated the proceedings with the ball in the match, picking up 8 of the 10 England wickets that fell on Day 1. Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja picked up 3 wickets each while Axar Patel grabbed two scalps.
Jasprit Bumrah was the only Indian pacer among wickets, picking up two as the tourists put 246 runs on the board.
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India Cricket Team
England Cricket Team
Joe Root
Ravindra Jadeja
Kevin Pietersen