India v West Indies 2nd Test: Dhoni Caught Umpire Bowled Broadcaster!

On the first day of the second Test match between India and West Indies being played at Barbados, the Indians had been bowled out for 201. The collapse was triggered after a superb partnership of 117 runs for the fifth wicket between VVS Laxman and Suresh Raina.

Raina’s dismissal at 155 saw Indian captain MS Dhoni walk out to the crease and Indian fans would have hoped that he batted with the same fervour that he had at the start of his career. Unfortunately, 13 balls later and having scored only two, Dhoni was walking back to the change-room, having clipped a catch back to the mid-on fielder.

Before Dhoni could walk back, the on-field umpire asked him to wait, as he wanted to check the legality of the delivery that Fidel Edwards had bowled. As is the norm these days, the umpires have, on occasions, done this to ensure that the bowler had not over-stepped on that wicket-taking delivery.

The third umpire, Gregory Brathwaite, saw in the replays that the bowler hadn’t over-stepped and conveyed the decision to the on-field umpire, Ian Gould. Dhoni returned back and the new batsman came out. The game continued.

Except that there was one problem. It later transpired that the wrong replay had been shown to the third umpire by the technical team – it wasn’t the same delivery that got Edwards the wicket. And the reason – a goof-up on the part of the broadcaster!

That delivery which had got rid of Dhoni, was, in reality a no-ball, which should have allowed Dhoni to continue with his innings at the crease.

Interestingly, in the second innings of the first Test match at Jamaica that India won, Dhoni had been given out off another no-ball, which the umpire had failed to spot. At the end of the game, Dhoni had quipped that if the umpiring in the game been good enough, the match would have ended much before the actual time.

Wonder what will Dhoni have to say this time at such a silly error on the part of the official broadcaster.