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Batsmen have survived appeals, but the reprieve Ajay Jadeja got on this day, 1997 at Margao, was on another plane.
The umpire involved was Raman Chand Sharma, who had already officiated in a Test and 10 ODIs by then.
The other umpire was debutant K Hariharan.
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The umpire involved was Raman Chand Sharma, who had already officiated in a Test and 10 ODIs by then.
The other umpire was debutant K Hariharan.
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Umpire Sharma's first mishap came in the 10th over, bowled by Sajeewa de Silva, when he counted 7 balls.
Vaas bowled the next over.
The ball moved away a bit. Jadeja edged. There was a clear deflection.
Kaluwitharana took the catch and appealed.
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Vaas bowled the next over.
The ball moved away a bit. Jadeja edged. There was a clear deflection.
Kaluwitharana took the catch and appealed.
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I wish Sharma had turned it down, then and there.
It might have looked less ridiculous.
But what he did was hilarious.
He raised the finger.
For a split second it seemed that Jadeja would have to walk back as the finger continued to go up.
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It might have looked less ridiculous.
But what he did was hilarious.
He raised the finger.
For a split second it seemed that Jadeja would have to walk back as the finger continued to go up.
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Then, in a last-minute change of mind, Sharma decided to change its course and adjust his hat.
Jadeja had almost started to walk back.
He now looked down at the pitch and started fiddling with his gloves.
Obviously everyone was left in splits.
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Jadeja had almost started to walk back.
He now looked down at the pitch and started fiddling with his gloves.
Obviously everyone was left in splits.
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Even Arjuna was caught grinning – and it had been only two years since Murali had been no-balled in Australia.
Mind you, Hariharan was not doing much better.
He ruled Aravinda not out when the latter under-edged one from Bahutule.
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Mind you, Hariharan was not doing much better.
He ruled Aravinda not out when the latter under-edged one from Bahutule.
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However, Hariharan was more decisive in his verdict.
But this was Sharma's day of indecision.
Towards the end of the match, there was a run out appeal against Kaluwitharana.
No, said Sharma. Then he confused everybody by referring it.
Kaluwitharana was well inside.
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But this was Sharma's day of indecision.
Towards the end of the match, there was a run out appeal against Kaluwitharana.
No, said Sharma. Then he confused everybody by referring it.
Kaluwitharana was well inside.
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Gavaskar joked on television that at least Sharma was consistent when it came to changing mid.
Raman Sharma never officiated in another international match. He passed away in an accident a year later.
Raman Sharma never officiated in another international match. He passed away in an accident a year later.
