A controversial one Decision Review System (DRS) call by a third umpire Richard Kettleborough during the second day of the Pink Ball Test in Adelaide sparked widespread criticism from fans, commentators and the Indian team. The incident occurred late in the first session when an Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin appeared to trap Australian curlew Mitchell Marsh lbw.
The 3rd umpire reports unclear figures
Ashwin was confident in his appeal, convincing the captain Rohit Sharma to review the referee’s decision not to go off the field. Initial replays showed Marsh trying to defend a delivery while advancing down the track, with the ball seemingly hitting the pad before an inside edge appeared. However, the third umpire cited Snicko-based inconsistency and immediately upheld the infield call without conducting a ball-watch.
Replays show a different story
Later replays, including an enlarged version, showed that the ball had indeed hit Marsh’s board first. This revelation left commentators wondering why the third umpire had not used ball-tracking technology to confirm the trajectory and likelihood of the ball hitting the stumps.
The abrupt decision-making process drew ire from fans and cricket pundits alike as they questioned the lack of thorough analysis at such a crucial time. The Indian camp looked visibly unhappy and social media erupted with reactions condemning the third umpire’s decision.
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Cricket fans expressed their anger on various platforms, calling the decision “unprofessional” and “a mockery of DRS”. Some highlighted the inconsistency in the use of DRS protocols, calling for a review of the system to avoid similar incidents in the future.
Here’s how fans reacted:
I have seen some strange events in cricket but this dismissal of Marsh was as strange as any!
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) December 7, 2024
Marsh was first. An Indian batsman would not survive this criticism from the third umpire.
— Prasanna MR (@mrprasanna23) December 7, 2024
Mitchell Marsh was light on Ashwin’s ball but the umpire didn’t give him out.#AUSWIND #TeamIndia #Pushpa2TheRule pic.twitter.com/Qvwzm3ETdv
— paritoshtechnical.techno (@paritoshtechni1) December 7, 2024
Marsh was ultimately not out due to the Umpire’s call for impact.
But this appalling use of technology by the Fox broadcaster, and the 3rd umpire’s hasty decision-making on DRS in 2 consecutive Tests, raises serious suspicions.
If this doesn’t improve, get ready for 2008-09 BGT Deja-Vu. pic.twitter.com/qLBGy4QmNL
— Gss🇮🇳 (@Gss_Views) December 7, 2024
#IndvAus Dispute!!! Challenge!!
This looked PAD 1st..
Ashwin went for DRS..
3rd umpire Kettleborough says it’s Bat 1st..
Funny if this would be an Indian batsman.. he would be pad 1st..
The slo mo shows clear PAD 1st. Marsh the batsman.. pic.twitter.com/J5kdDKmo9x
— Anurag Sinha (@anuragsinha1992) December 7, 2024
In the 1st match KL Rahul was ruled out, today Mitchell Marsh was not ruled out on the same basis. The 3rd referee is a clown. The hypocrisy of the Australian 🤡🤡#INDvsAUS #AUSWIND pic.twitter.com/8PciC7QZpm
— Akshat (@AkshatOM10) December 7, 2024
Looks like Aus are playing with 12th man in the form of 3rd umpire.
Mitch Marsh was definitely out, the 3rd umpire in 10 seconds ruled no conclusive evidence, while in the next photo we could all see Pad 1st.
Once a cheater always a cheater @CricketAus#INDvsAUS pic.twitter.com/kKCrLIWfQ3— Hitman (@Hitman_views) December 7, 2024
It’s as clear as it gets, put Mitch Marsh first. Even David Warner and Harsha Bhogle agree. The third umpire should have looked at it from more angles, not just the side view.
Here is the slow zoom front view – pic.twitter.com/ZY9B6bXb8Y
— philliphereᝰ (@thephilliphere) December 7, 2024
Third grade referee from the 3rd referee. He didn’t follow protocol, he didn’t go for ball tracking. The video replay team did not provide the definitive video. They did, but after a decision favored Marsh. pic.twitter.com/cooKdv3rV9
— Pramod Kumar Singh (@SinghPramod2784) December 7, 2024
Ravi Ashwin to Mitchell Marsh..
– The ball hits the backboard cleanly first, but the 3rd umpire says there is no convincing evidence to overturn the on-field umpire’s decision..!!😡
— MANU. (@Manojy9812) December 7, 2024
My honest reaction after seeing the third umpire’s decision 😡 #INDvsAUS cheating #INDvAUS Elos pic.twitter.com/V7qZ7SGNfM
— Siju Moothedath (@SijuMoothedath) December 7, 2024
In the 1st match KL Rahul was ruled out, while today Shaun Marsh was not ruled out on the same basis. The 3rd referee is a clown. The hypocrisy of the Australian 🤡🤡#INDvsAUS #AUSWIND pic.twitter.com/i4Yy7bAvOr
— __khushal______ (@khushal82649874) December 7, 2024
Third grade referee from the 3rd referee. He didn’t follow protocol, he didn’t go for ball tracking. The video replay team did not provide the definitive video. They did, but after a decision favored Marsh.
Fraudsters #INDvsAUS pic.twitter.com/w3qYdx33nR
— CRICKET lover (@GaneshK55461720) December 7, 2024
Bad decision by the 3rd umpire on Marsh. I thought he hit the board first. Fortunately, the impact was the umpire’s call and therefore wouldn’t have been out anyway. #AUSWIND
— Scott Rea (@ScottRea) December 7, 2024
According to the 3rd umpire, there was no convincing evidence to get Marsh out 🤔
Look at the ball that hits first, it’s the pads first 😡
The umpire always belongs to the Australians.#INDvsAUS #INDvAUS #HONESTvsIND #AUSWIND #BorderGavaskarTrophy pic.twitter.com/wklF6Fo92L— Munesh Yadav🇮🇳 (@95MuneshYadav) December 7, 2024
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