The controversy unfolded on Day 1 of the fifth and final Test between India and England, currently underway in London.
Umpiring Controversy Mars Day 1 Drama
Day 1 of the ongoing fifth and final India vs England Test match in London delivered high-intensity action, drama, and controversy. The series has already seen its share of heated moments, and Thursday brought yet another — this time involving umpire Kumar Dharmasena. The experienced Sri Lankan official made a significant error that allowed England to retain a DRS review they might have otherwise lost.
The incident unfolded on the second delivery of the 13th over. England pacer Josh Tongue bowled a sharp inswinging yorker that caught Indian batter Sai Sudharsan off guard. As Sudharsan lost balance and fell, the ball struck him low on the pad, prompting a loud LBW appeal from England. However, Dharmasena quickly signaled that the ball had taken an inside edge by tapping his fingers together, leading England to abandon thoughts of a review.
Replays later revealed there was no inside edge, sparking debate and criticism over the decision.
Sanjay Bangar slams Kumar Dharmasena
Umpire Kumar Dharmasena’s on-field blunder didn’t just cost England a potential review opportunity—it also drew sharp criticism from former India cricketer Sanjay Bangar. Speaking on Star Sports, Bangar expressed his frustration over Dharmasena’s premature signal, calling it completely inappropriate.
“These habits don’t go away easily for umpires because it’s second nature to them,” Bangar remarked. “Whenever there is an appeal, you try to say it. Because when Dharmasena had started his umpiring career, there was no DRS then. But now, you are not supposed to give a signal on what’s going on in your mind. Or else, the bowler and the bowling team gets a sort of a hint on what’s going on in the umpire’s mind. The umpire should not have done that.”
Bangar’s comments underscored a growing concern about umpires inadvertently influencing DRS decisions with unnecessary gestures, especially in high-stakes matches.
Indian umpire defends Kumar Dharmasena
Replays confirmed that the ball had indeed struck Sai Sudharsan’s bat before he fell to the ground — validating umpire Kumar Dharmasena’s decision, but raising eyebrows over his visible signal. His premature gesture effectively discouraged England from using the DRS, leading to a missed opportunity that could have proven crucial.
Dharmasena, a former cricketer himself and part of Sri Lanka’s 1996 World Cup-winning squad, has come under scrutiny for the incident. While former India cricketer Sanjay Bangar condemned the move as unprofessional, Indian umpire Anil Chaudhary stepped in to defend his colleague.
The incident has sparked debate over whether even experienced umpires need to revisit DRS protocols to avoid influencing critical decisions.