A contentious Decision Review System (DRS) call by third umpire Richard Kettleborough during the second day of the Pink Ball Test in Adelaide ignited widespread criticism from fans, commentators, and Team India. The incident occurred late in the first session when Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin appeared to trap Australian batter Mitchell Marsh lbw.
3rd umpire cites inconclusive evidence
Ashwin was confident in his appeal, convincing captain Rohit Sharma to review the on-field umpire’s not-out decision. Initial replays showed Marsh attempting to defend a delivery while advancing down the track, with the ball seemingly striking the pad before an inside edge was evident. However, the third umpire cited inconclusive evidence based on the Snicko and promptly upheld the on-field call without proceeding to ball-tracking.
Replays show a different story
Later replays, including a zoomed-in version, suggested the ball had indeed hit Marsh’s pad first. This revelation left commentators baffled as to why the third umpire had not used ball-tracking technology to confirm the trajectory and likelihood of the ball hitting the stumps.
The abrupt decision-making process drew ire from fans and cricket pundits alike, as they questioned the lack of thorough analysis in such a critical moment. The Indian camp looked visibly displeased, and social media erupted with reactions condemning the third umpire’s judgment.
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Cricket fans expressed their outrage on various platforms, calling the decision “unprofessional” and “a mockery of DRS.” Some highlighted the inconsistency in using DRS protocols, demanding a review of the system to avoid similar incidents in the future.
Here is how fans reacted:
I’ve seen some strange events in cricket but that Marsh dismissal was about as bizarre as any!
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) December 7, 2024
Marsh was pad first. An Indian batsman would not be surviving that review from third umpire.
— Prasanna M R (@mrprasanna23) December 7, 2024
Mitchell Marsh was lbw on Ashwin’s ball, but the umpire did not give him out, The ball first hit the Pad & Then hit the bat 3rd given not out what is the meaning of technology in cricket when you do not give the right decision?#AUSvIND #TeamIndia #Pushpa2TheRule pic.twitter.com/Qvwzm3ETdv
— paritoshtechnical.techno (@paritoshtechni1) December 7, 2024
Marsh was not-out ultimately due to Umpire’s call on impact.
But this horrible use of technology by Fox broadcaster & rushed decision making by 3rd umpire for DRS in 2 back to back tests, raise serious suspicion.
If this is not improved, get ready for Deja-Vu of 2008-09 BGT. pic.twitter.com/qLBGy4QmNL
— Gss🇮🇳 (@Gss_Views) December 7, 2024
#IndvAus Controversy!!! Controversy!!
That looked PAD 1st..
Ashwin went for DRS..
3rd umpire Kettleborough says its Bat 1st..
Ridiculous if that would have been an Indian batsman.. it would have been pad 1st..
The slo mo shows clear PAD 1st.. Marsh the batsman.. pic.twitter.com/J5kdDKmo9x
— Anurag Sinha (@anuragsinha1992) December 7, 2024
In 1st match KL Rahul was given out, while today Mitchell Marsh was given not out on the same basis. 3rd Umpire being a clown. Australian’s hypocrisy 🤡🤡#INDvsAUS #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/8PciC7QZpm
— Akshat (@AkshatOM10) December 7, 2024
Seems like Aus is playing with 12th man in the form of 3rd Umpire.
Mitch Marsh was definitely out, 3rd Umpire in 10 sec decided that no conclusive evidence is available, whereas in the next pic all of us could see Pad 1st.
Once a cheater always a cheaters @CricketAus#INDvsAUS pic.twitter.com/kKCrLIWfQ3— Hitman (@Hitman_views) December 7, 2024
That’s as clear as it gets, pad first to Mitch Marsh. Even David Warner and Harsha Bhogle agree. The third umpire should have reviewed it from more angles, not just the side-on view.
Here’s the front-on slow zoom-in view – pic.twitter.com/ZY9B6bXb8Y
— philliphereᝰ (@thephilliphere) December 7, 2024
Third Rate Umpiring by the 3rd Umpire. He didn’t follow the protocol, didn’t go for ball tracking. Video replay team didn’t provide the conclusive video. They did but after decision favoured Marsh. pic.twitter.com/cooKdv3rV9
— Pramod Kumar Singh (@SinghPramod2784) December 7, 2024
Ravi Ashwin to Mitchell Marsh..
– Ball hits clearly on pad first but 3rd Umpire says there is not conclusive evidence to overturn on field umpire decision..!!😡
— MANU. (@Manojy9812) December 7, 2024
My honest reaction after seeing the third umpire’s decision 😡 #INDvsAUS cheating #INDvAUS Marsh pic.twitter.com/V7qZ7SGNfM
— Siju Moothedath (@SijuMoothedath) December 7, 2024
In 1st match KL Rahul was given out, while today Shaun Marsh was given not out on the same basis. 3rd Umpire being a clown. Australian’s hypocrisy 🤡🤡#INDvsAUS #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/i4Yy7bAvOr
— __khushal______ (@khushal82649874) December 7, 2024
Third Rate Umpiring by the 3rd Umpire. He didn’t follow the protocol, didn’t go for ball tracking. Video replay team didn’t provide the conclusive video. They did but after decision favoured Marsh.
Cheaters #INDvsAUS pic.twitter.com/w3qYdx33nR
— CRICKET LOVER (@GaneshK55461720) December 7, 2024
Poor decision by 3rd umpire on Marsh. I thought it hit the pad first. Luckily, the impact was umpire’s call and, therefore, would have been not out anyway. #AUSvIND
— Scott Rea (@ScottRea) December 7, 2024
According to 3rd umpire, there was not any conclusive evidence to give Marsh out 🤔
Look at the ball where is hitting first, it’s pads first 😡
Umpire always belongs to the Aussies.#INDvsAUS #INDvAUS #AUSvsIND #AUSvIND #BorderGavaskarTrophy pic.twitter.com/wklF6Fo92L— Munesh Yadav🇮🇳 (@95MuneshYadav) December 7, 2024
