Published: Oct 03, 2015, 01:31 PM (IST)
Edited: Oct 03, 2015, 01:31 PM (IST)
The first Twenty20 International (T20I) between India and South Africa at Dharamsala yesterday ended in heartbreak for Indian fans as India lost the thriller in the last over. South African batsman JP Duminy’s majestic knock of 34-ball 68, which had seven smashing sixes, won it for his team. The loss however, wasn’t the only heartbreak for the Indians. In fact the way it came did more damage. Indian fans were furious with on-field umpire Vineet Kulkarni, who got a couple of decisions involving Duminy wrong, costing India the match.
Chasing 200, South Africa would have been in a spot of bother had Duminy been dismissed. But eventually, after getting two reprieves, he won it for his team. Earlier, riding high on Rohit Sharma’s swashbuckling 106, India had posted an above-par 199/5. Duminy survived two close LBW calls, on 5 and 33, by Indian umpire Kulkarni. It appeared that he was out on both the occasions. In the 13th over, he survived off left-arm spinner Axar Patel, who he later smashed for 3 successive sixes. In the 17th over, with the match in the balance, Kulkarni ruled Duminy not out to a strong Bhuvneshwar Kumar LBW appeal. Upset by the decision, even a usually calm Bhuvneshwar lost his cool.
In the post-match presentation ceremony, Indian captain MS Dhoni, who of late has been vocal about his disappointments, spoke about Kulkarni’s decisions. “If decisions don’t go in your favour, that also puts pressure and I thought we were unfortunate not to get Duminy,” Dhoni said after the loss. “The game was evenly poised but that’s how cricket is, you don’t get everything in your favour. But I felt they also batted well, kept the momentum going which is important when you’re chasing 200 runs,” he added. South Africa lead in the 3-match series 1-0.
Indian fans took to Twitter to slam Kulkarni, who was trending on the micro-blogging site last night after the match ended.
@StarSportsIndia #MatchPoint All Goes To Vineet Kulkarni For a Such wonderful Perfomance To Make #SA Win WORST UMPIRE #IndvsSA @ICC @BCCI
— Rishav Aggarwal (@ComRishav) October 3, 2015
ICC should make a rule. When there is Vineet Kulkarni on the field, DRS is automatically applicable. #IndvsSA
— Shushank Aggarwal (@TheShushank) October 3, 2015
Man of the Match : Vineet Kulkarni, If He Will Be The Umpire For The Next Two T20s, He Can Also Get, Man Of The Series! #IndvsSA
— Sir Ravindra Jadeja (@SirJadeja) October 2, 2015
Duminy will share his Man of the Match award with Umpire Vineet Kulkarni: Barkha Dutt’s Sources #IndvsSA
— Sunil (@akshaykanitkar) October 2, 2015
Vineet Kulkarni made a poor decision. Had he made the right one, Miller might have finished the game ten minutes earlier.
— Sidvee (@sidvee) October 2, 2015
Clinical finish from JP Duminy, great assist from Vineet Kulkarni. #IndvSA
— cricBC (@cricBC) October 2, 2015
It’s ok SA has won! Congrats! but Duminy was not given a sure LBW in Bhuvi’s delivery! Vineet Kulkarni must learn umpiring! Lol #IndvsSA
— Ravi Chiku (@chiku_ravi) October 3, 2015
Vineet kulkarni trending!! I sense a job promotion for him or even better “BiggBoss”,” Jhalak Dikhla Ja”. This #shit happens only in india.
— Somay Bhatnagar (@whatthebhen) October 2, 2015
Vineet kulkarni beat India in first t20 #IndvsSA
— Akhil (@ponting667) October 3, 2015
Jab tak vineet kulkarni ku thappad marenge nahi tab tak soyenge nahi… @BCCI
— Aamir Khan Fan (@TheGufranKhan) October 2, 2015
@BeingSalmaniac1 @BCCI sab se pehle bcci walon ku samajh nahi hai. Drs b nahi lete aur umpire b vineet kulkarni jaise rakhe hain
— Aamir Khan Fan (@TheGufranKhan) October 2, 2015
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