SuperSport, the broadcaster of the South Africa vs India series only purchases DRS technology from an independent ICC verified vendor and doesn’t control its use
Bundled out for a paltry 198 on day 3 of the 3rd South Africa vs India test match, India needed to show fight and character in abundance to not only save the test match but also rescue the series.
And one wicket the side was yearning for was that of Dean Elgar’s after his heroics in the second encounter. And Ravichandran Ashwin looked to have gotten his man with a LBW shout swinging in his favour before a colossal controversy erupted.
SuperSport Doesn’t Control How DRS And Hawkeye Technology Is Used, India’s Anger Misplaced
Elgar went onto opt for the DRS, one which saw things take an unprecedented turn with Hawkeye showing an unlikely bounce with the ball going over the wickets. As the decision was overturned, a massive brouhaha erupted on the pitch with the Indian team putting the reversal to the sword.
The team’s charge was spearheaded by captain Virat Kohli who decided to bellow into the stump mic with him levelling accusations at SuperSport for tampering with the technology. His claims were soon echoed by R Ashwin and KL Rahul with all lashing out at the broadcaster, hitting out at it for fudging data in a bid to keep Elgar at the crease.
Just for the record. This is available on the ICC website on the playing conditions. Technology to be used for DRS… it is through a list of approved vendors. They do their own thing, with ball-tracking or sound-based detection. pic.twitter.com/iwFRcwylSt
— Vinayakk (@vinayakkm) January 13, 2022
You think the third umpire can control the Hawkeye? Lol
— Greg (@gdbow08) January 13, 2022
The bounce of the pitch – a significant factor in Dean Elgar's successful review.#SAvIND pic.twitter.com/GI2rXjgjwd
— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) January 13, 2022
After Elgar's DRS turned down out looking decision, Kohli lost his calm & delivered few harsh words "Focus on your team as well when they shine the ball eh, not just the opposition, trying to catch people all the time. oh, I wonder how many times they’re gonna show that" #INDvSA pic.twitter.com/8s1iNaMutt
— Ahmad Haseeb (@iamAhmadhaseeb) January 13, 2022
@ashwinravi99 – "Uv gotto find better ways to win supersport"
That didn't look like it was going to miss the stumps.#SAvsIND pic.twitter.com/0VczdHodtA
— Pradeep Muthu (@muthupradeep) January 13, 2022
Reaction on Stump mic after Dean Elgar's LBW was overturned:
Erasmus – that's impossible.
Ashwin – you should find better ways to win, Supersport.
Kohli – Focus on your team as well. Trying to catch people all the time.
KL – whole country playing against XI guys.
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) January 13, 2022
The comments have not gone down well owing to SuperSport having no role to play in how the technology is utilised. As per ICC norms, broadcasters are only responsible for purchasing DRS and Hawkeye from an approved vendor with all subsequent usage depending entirely on the company providing the technology.
While the DRS messed up, SuperSport was unfairly lambasted by the Indian team with even Gautam Gambhir going onto call Kohli immature for his lack of acumen over the rules and how the game functions. Kohli who had been in Elgar’s face across the course of day 3 in a bid to ruffle his feathers should be the first to admit that his side failed as a unit rather than trying diversionary tactics to deflect blame off himself.
While the decision needs to be scrutinised, the world of sports hasn’t been a stranger to controversial decision. Team India has been on the receiving end of scores of favourable calls as well over the years, ones which haven’t seen a furor erupt in the Indian camp owing to them working in their favour.
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