Hanuma Vihari's gritty knock ends in a controversial manner

While technology has helped the umpires bring down the howlers in the game to a real low, sometimes it also has limitations. In the past, the cricketing world has witnessed several incidents where technology failed to come up with a satisfactory conclusion and on Friday something similar happened during the ongoing fourth Test between India and Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground where Hanuma Vihari’s dismissal raised quite a few eyebrows.

On the penultimate delivery of the 102nd over bowled by Nathan Lyon, Vihari had tried to sweep the ball hard. However, he failed to make a desirable contact with the ball and the ball after seemingly hitting him on the gloves went to Marnus Labuschagne’s safe hands at forward short-leg. The Australian fielders went up in unison and umpire Ian Gould had no hesitation in raising his finger. However, Vihari was convinced that he had not edged the ball and thus even without a discussion with his partner took asked for the review.

The replays, however, would not have convinced Vihari at all. While the Real Time Snicko showed a spike when the ball went past the bat, there was no conclusive evidence to overturn the on-field decision. However, the TV umpire was convinced that Vihari had edged the ball and asked Gould to stay with his original decision.

Here is the video of Hanuma Vihari’s wicket:

India on top

Despite losing Vihari on 42, Team India has taken a firm grip on the proceedings in the final Test of the series. Cheteshwar Pujara and Vihari started the proceedings with the ball and looked solid right from the word go, not letting the hosts make early inroads. The two went on to complete the century-plus stand before Nathan Lyon accounted for the latter.

But Vihari’s dismissal did not bring any respite for the hosts as in Rishabh Pant, Pujara found a good partner. The two took the score close to 400 before lunch was taken. At lunch, India were comfortably placed at 389 for 5 with Pujara on 181 and Pant on 27.

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