On Day 4 of the Bengaluru Test between India and New Zealand, tensions flared as Indian skipper Rohit Sharma and former captain Virat Kohli got into a heated exchange with the umpires. The incident occurred when play was stopped early due to bad light, a decision that didn’t sit well with the Indian team, especially as they were in a crucial stage of the match.
The Situation Unfolds
India, bowled out for just 46 runs in their first innings, staged a remarkable comeback in the second innings, putting up a strong total of 462. However, this still left New Zealand with a relatively small target of 107 to chase. With about an hour of play remaining on the fourth day, New Zealand began their second innings under ominous skies at Bengaluru’s Chinnaswamy Stadium.
As Jasprit Bumrah came to bowl the first over, he had only completed four deliveries when the umpires decided to halt the game. Despite all four floodlights being on, the fading natural light made it difficult to continue play. The umpires, Paul Reiffel and Michael Gough, used the light meter to assess the conditions and determined that it was unsafe to carry on.
Indian Team’s Frustration
The decision to stop play didn’t go down well with Team India, especially since the weather conditions favored their fast bowlers. Dense clouds overhead could have helped Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj generate more swing, potentially turning the game in India’s favor. However, the umpires, adhering to the rules, chose to stop play based on the light meter readings.
This led to a strong reaction from Rohit Sharma, who immediately began questioning the umpires’ decision. Rohit was visibly frustrated, arguing that the over should at least be completed. He even suggested that India could bring on spinners if light was an issue for the fast bowlers.
Virat Kohli, too, joined the conversation, backing his captain in the debate. Both players passionately argued with the umpires, with the rest of the Indian team also surrounding them in support. Despite their protests, the umpires stood firm in their decision.
Why Did the Umpires Stop Play?
According to the rules of Test cricket, if the light starts to fade, the umpires use a light meter to measure the brightness levels. Once a decision is made to stop play based on these readings, the same threshold is applied for the remainder of the match. This ensures consistency and fairness.
Earlier in the match, on Day 2, play had been stopped 10 minutes before the scheduled close due to poor light. The readings from that day were applied again on Day 4, leading the umpires to halt the game after just four balls of New Zealand’s innings.
Although the Indian team may have felt that the decision was unfair, the umpires were acting within the rules. Their priority is the safety of the players, and poor light can significantly increase the risk of injury, especially for batsmen facing fast bowlers.
Weather Brings Further Disruption
Shortly after the umpires called off play, heavy rain began to pour over the Chinnaswamy Stadium, confirming that their decision was the right one. The downpour was so intense that the match couldn’t be resumed, and stumps were declared for the day.
For Team India, the early end to the day’s play was a setback. With New Zealand needing just 107 runs to win, every over counts, and the deteriorating weather conditions could work against India’s chances of forcing a result.
Will There Be Consequences for Rohit and Kohli?
Given the intensity of the argument, there may be consequences for Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. According to cricket regulations, players can be fined for dissent or for showing aggression towards the umpires. While it remains to be seen whether any disciplinary action will be taken, this incident has added an extra layer of drama to an already thrilling Test match.
