Jasprit Bumrah reached a remarkable personal milestone, taking his 100th wicket in T20 International cricket during the series opener against South Africa. However, the historic moment has been largely overshadowed by accusations of an umpiring error, with many questioning the third umpire’s judgment on a critical no-ball call.
The incident that triggered widespread debate involved the dismissal of Dewald Brevis. Bumrah delivered a ball that Brevis top-edged to cover, where the catch was safely pouched. The controversy arose from the front-foot review, with evidence suggesting Bumrah might have overstepped the crease.
During the review, the third umpire assessed the front foot. Despite the visual evidence from multiple angles appearing ambiguous due to player and runner obstruction, the decision was given in favor of the bowler. This ruling has led to a significant backlash from cricket fans and analysts across digital platforms.
Many took to social media platforms like X to voice their strong opinions. Comments like “That’s was a No ball. Who is that Third umpire? Is he blind?” highlight the intensity of the online reaction. The lack of a clear, unobstructed view of Bumrah’s front foot from the available camera angles has only fueled the speculation and dissent.
Despite the surrounding controversy, the match’s outcome remained largely unaffected. South Africa was already in deep trouble, and the fall of Brevis’s wicket, regardless of the officiating, did little to change the inevitable. India’s bowlers were in complete control, ultimately bowling out South Africa for a paltry 74, their lowest T20I total, to secure a resounding win by 101 runs.