India started their campaign with a commanding 9-wicket win over UAE in Dubai on Wednesday (September 10). It was a completely one-sided contest as India thoroughly dominated the match and outplayed the home side.
Barring the UAE’s dramatic collapse that saw them getting all out for 57 from 47/2, the match did not witness any big events. However, a dramatic incident took place in the 13th over of the UAE innings when their number 10 Junaid Siddique was facing Shivam Dube.
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On the third ball of the over, Siddique was beaten while attempting a pull shot. He then wandered outside the crease before wicketkeeper Sanju Samson hit the stumps with an underarm throw from behind the stumps.
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Immediately after being beaten by the ball, Siddique was seen pointing towards the towel that Dube appeared to have dropped while delivering the ball.
With the UAE player outside the crease, Sanju Samson sensed an opportunity and decided to take a shy at the stumps.
With the ball hitting the stumps, the umpires intervened. The square-leg umpire referred the decision to the third umpire, Ruchira Palliyaguruge.
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While the umpires were busy finalising the call, Suryakumar Yadav walked up to the umpire at the bowler’s end and had a conversation before withdrawing the appeal. Suryakumar Yadav saw the replays on the big screen before taking the final call.
Aakash Chopra on Suryakumar Yadav’s decision:
While Suryakumar Yadav has received praise from several quarters for his decision, former India batsman Aakash Chopra was not too impressed with the ball.
Speaking on ESPNcricinfo, the former cricketer-turned-commentator said that Suryakumar Yadav’s decision was based on the match situation at the time and that the India captain would not have taken the same call against a tougher opposition like Pakistan.
“It’s event-specific in my opinion, it wouldn’t have happened if [Pakistan’s] Salman Agha was playing on 14th [of September] and the game is in the balance, and he’s just roaming around, he [Suryakumar] won’t do that.
Speaking further, Chopra heaped praise on Samson for his presence of mind and said that Siddique should have been declared out.
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“It was a good throw, presence of mind from Sanju to hit the stumps. If he was [outside the crease], it should be out, in my opinion. But opinions may vary. The problem is the moment you bring in ethics and generosity, it opens a can of worms: ‘oh, you did this today, why are you not doing the same thing tomorrow?’ Why go down that route?
“Will you do it? If that’s the case, it’s like walking. You nick it and you walk. But the day you do not walk, that’s the day that decides which side of the divide you are on and that’s when you look like a hypocrite. I’m not saying SKY is going to do it again, or not do it again. But if it is within the rules and the umpire has given it out, just stay out. That’s it,” he added.
Talking about the game, India went on to thrash UAE by nine wickets to start their campaign with a win. After bowling out the opposition for just 57 runs, India chased down the total in less than 5 overs.
