IND vs NZ: "If there's no conclusive evidence…" Rohit Sharma opens up on Rishabh Pant's controversial dismissal

Rohit Sharma has shared his thoughts on Rishabh Pant’s controversial dismissal in the third IND vs NZ test.

New Zealand created history in Mumbai by becoming the first team to whitewash India on Indian soil in a test series of three or more games.

The third test of the series at the Wankhede stadium saw New Zealand edge India out by 25 runs to create history. The game at Mumbai was the closest game of the series.

India needed 147 runs to win on a spin-friendly Wankhede pitch. After another top and middle-order batting collapse, Rishabh Pant brought India back into the contest by forming 42 and 35-run partnerships for the sixth and seventh wickets with Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar respectively.

The game-killing moment for India came in the 22nd over of their second innings when Rishabh Pant was controversially given out by the third umpire. Pant scored 64 runs off 57 balls and appeared to be in control.

Pant was declared out after New Zealand reviewed a not-out on-field decision for a caught. Stepping out of the crease to defend a sharp turning ball from Ajaz Patel, Pant made contact with his pads when the ball was very close to his bat.

Initially given not out by the on-field umpire, the decision was overturned by the third umpire, ruling Pant out. His departure led to a quick collapse, and India were bowled out for 121.

Rohit Sharma’s thoughts on Pant’s dismissal

India captain Rohit Sharma shared his thoughts on the controversial decision against Pant during the post-match press conference. Rohit asked for greater consistency from the umpires. He emphasized that in cases lacking clear evidence, the on-field decision should stand.

Rohit said, “About the dismissal, honestly, I don’t know. If we say something, it’s not accepted well. But if there is no conclusive evidence, it has to stand with the on-field decision. That’s what I have been told. I don’t know how that decision was overturned, since the umpire didn’t give him out.“

Reflecting on the dismissal Rohit demanded uniformity in the decisions, adding, “The bat was close to the pads, again I don’t know if it is the right thing for me to talk about. It is something for the umpires to think about. Have the same rules for every team and not keep changing their mind.”

With this loss, India’s hopes for the World Test Championship (WTC) have taken a major hit. The upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, starting on November 22, will be pivotal for the Indian side in their pursuit of the WTC final.

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