Ranji Trophy 2019-20: Shubman Gill refuses to walk after given out caught behind; Delhi bowlers refuse to bowl

The ongoing edition of the Ranji Trophy is in full flow with First-Class games being played across the length and breadth of the country. One of the things that have always been a source of contention is around the use of the Decision Review System in Ranji Trophy cricket. Time and again, we have seen umpires making howlers, one that leads to a substantial impact on the eventual outcome of the match.

And, as a result of such howlers, often we see cricketers lose their cool in the heat of the moment and proceed to let out expletives; something that shouldn’t be a part of the cricket field. A similar sort of incident happened on the first morning of Day 1 of the Round 04 Elite Group A & B encounter between Delhi and Punjab in Mohali.

The controversy erupted when Punjab batsman Shubman Gill was given caught behind by the umpire. However, Gill did not move from his place and soon the decision was overturned. Understandably, the umpire’s decision to overturn his initial call was not going to go down well with Delhi. And, it didn’t!

Huge controversy here in Mohali. Shubman Gill was given caught behind but he is not moving anywhere. And the decision has been overturned

— Pratyush Raj (@pratyush_RajTOI) January 3, 2020

Delhi bowlers refuse to bowl amidst Shubman Gill controversy

The bowlers refused to bowl, soon the Delhi team-led by Nitish Rana started to leave the field. Skipper Nitish Rana alleged that Gill had abused the Umpire. Finally, the game was restarted after the intervention of the match-referee.

Delhi camp is fuming. They are not bowling.

— Pratyush Raj (@pratyush_RajTOI) January 3, 2020

The match has been re-started after the intervention of match referee.

— Pratyush Raj (@pratyush_RajTOI) January 3, 2020

And, finally, Gill was dismissed for a 41-ball 23 after he edged one off Simarjeet Singh which was safely gobbled by wicketkeeper Anuj Rawat. And, this time there was no confusion or controversy around the decision.

Shubman Gill walked down to umpire Paschim Pathak (who is making his debut) and abused him, " Delhi vice-captain Nitish Rana.

— Pratyush Raj (@pratyush_RajTOI) January 3, 2020

Now Gill is gone. Caught by Anuj Rawat b Simarjeet Singh. This time he walked.

— Pratyush Raj (@pratyush_RajTOI) January 3, 2020

This is not the first time that umpiring howlers have caused a massive furor in Ranji Trophy. In last year’s edition, Saurashtra’s  Cheteshwar Pujara was given not out by the on-field official when it was clearly evident that Indian No.3 has clearly edged the ball.

This year too, in the Round 01 Elite Group A & B encounter between Mumbai and Baroda, Yusuf Pathan showed his dissent when he was given caught bat-and-pad to backward short leg, something he clearly believed he hadn’t.