Image Source: X
[Saba Sports News] The India vs England Test series faced ongoing controversy over ball-tracking, particularly when England’s Joe Root was controversially dismissed lbw on Day 3 of the fourth Test in Ranchi.
Despite being initially ruled not out in the 17th over of England’s second innings, India’s review led to a ball-tracking decision showing the ball as in line and hitting the stumps, ending Root’s inning at 11 (34). Viral images later suggested that more than half of the ball was outside leg, a factor that should have spared Root.
Michael Vaughan, the former England captain, criticized the technology, labeling the decision as a significant error and questioning Hawkeye’s reliability this series.
“The Root dismissal was a shocker for the technology. Over half looked to have pitched outside leg stump but it came up red !!!!!! Hawkeye is having a average series .. And it’s done for England’s best player Root ..,” he posted on X.
He later deleted his critique. Vaughan also pointed out the lack of sufficient replays for Root’s pivotal dismissal. England’s Sam Billings echoed the sentiment, noting multiple errors by DRS throughout the series.
This isn’t the series’ first controversy involving Hawk-Eye; England’s Zak Crawley faced similar questionable decisions in the second and third Tests. Despite on-field decisions, DRS calls led to Crawley’s dismissal, stirring debate and dissatisfaction, particularly when a decision against him in the third Test seemed likely to miss the stumps but was upheld as ‘umpire’s call’.