Jammu and Kashmir were at the receiving end of some controversial umpiring decisions against 42-time Ranji champions Mumbai at BKC Ground. On Day 1 of the Elite Group A match, a few close calls went against them inviting criticism from former Jammu and Kashmir players. Some former players called on J&K Cricket Association to lodge an official complaint with the match officials for ‘umpiring howlers’.
On Friday, a major controversy erupted in Mumbai’s second innings when Shreyas Iyer on Day 2 was on eight, seemingly edged at Umar Nazir delivery to the wicketkeeper Kanhaiya Wadhawan. There could be heard some sound on TV replays, but the onfield umpire S Ravi gave it not out even though the visitors kept pleading for it loudly.
The incident happened in the second ball of 19th over. Iyer was eventually similarly dismissed on 19 but he was reluctant to go. He and Ajinkya Rahane thought Kanhaiya hadn’t taken the catch cleanly but despite the argument, he was adjudged out.
Also Mumbai skipper was called back on Friday after being given out in controversial circumstances. Rahane had seemingly crossed the boundary and new batter Shardul Thakur had entered the field. But the ball was declared no ball and Rahane made his way back in and Shardul exited.
A former player fumed “These things are happening in live matches, You can imagine what happens in other matches that are not telecasted or streamed live. We suffer because of such decisions."
In the first innings also a couple of calls especially against Rahane went against the visiting side. Fans took to social media on Friday calling it favouritism and a ploy to discourage smaller state teams.
Jammu and Kashmir skipper Paras Dogra felt umpires should have been more watchful but played down the incident as part of the game.
“This is happening for years, we can’t do anything about it. If they were more watchful we could have been better placed. But it is part and parcel of the game. Umpires are humans they make mistakes. That’s why DRS is there,” said 40-year-old, Dogra who made his First Class debut for Himachal Pradesh in 2001-02 season.
However, DRS is not being used in the Ranji League games. “If DRS was there it would have been a good experience but it is not there we can’t help it. There are so many matches going on at the same time it is difficult to use DRS in every game. So it doesn’t make any difference,” he added.
Dogra said they will forget about decisions and Shardul Thakur's one of best innings to come stronger on Day 3. "Every day is a new day come back tomorrow and hope it is our day again," he said.
