Boxing Day IND VS AUS Test: Cricket fans divided on ‘Controversial’ third umpire decision ruling Tim Paine not out.

Byline By- Vinayak Heliwal

The opening day of the Second Test between India and Australia produced a controversial moment after Australia captain Tim Paine survived one of the closest runs out calls.

A massive debate started on social media after the third umpire gave a call in Tim Paine’s favor and gave him the benefit of doubt on Day 1 of second India vs Australia Test in Melbourne.

In the 55th over of the third session there was a big mixup between young all-rounder Cameron Green and Tim Paine and the Australian skipper was struggling to reach the strikers end. A decent throw from Umesh Yadav was collected by wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant who broke the stumps.

What seemed to be a case of nanometers, Paine’s bat looked to be on the line when Indian Wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant dislodged the bails.

However, the indecisiveness over when the bails completely lost contact with the stumps together saw the Australian being given the ‘benefit of the doubt’.

“There’s no conclusive evidence to show the bat is on the wrong side of the line, so the bat looks like it could have a bit over the line. My decision is not out,” said Paul Wilson while ruling Tim Paine not out.

Soon after the not-out call Netizens set the social media abuzz as fans including legends believed that it should have been given out.

Check out their reactions –

Some people on social media also reckoned that the bails still had contact with the stumps when Paine’s bat was on the line which forced the third umpire to give the decision in the favour of the hosts.

However, Paine didn’t capitalize the lifeline and was dismissed by Ravichandran Ashwin not long after. The Aussie skipper could only manage 13 runs from 38 deliveries in the innings.