Indian Fans Chanted “Aussie Cheaters” After Cameron Green’s Catch: In their improbable pursuit of the target of 444 runs in the WTC Final 2023, India suffered their first big blow when Scott Boland dismissed opener Shubman Gill at the stroke of Tea on Day 4 at the Oval. However, that dismissal brought on plenty of drama and controversy as it wasn’t a clean catch from Cameron Green at gully.
Boland pitched it on good length outside off-stump and Shubman Gill edged it to the vacant third/fourth slip area. However, Cameron Green leapt from fine gully and went low one-handed to grab the ball. In his movements of completing the catch, Green’s hand brushed the grass and he was on the ground.
The on-field umpires weren’t sure whether it was a clean catch or not. With inconclusive evidence, they sent it upstairs to the third umpire Richard Kettleborough, who took a long time and saw the replays with different angles. Kettleborough arrived at the decision that the fingers of Green’s left-hand were underneath the ball and gave Shubman Gill out.
This decision from the third umpire – giving the batsman out despite not having a conclusive evidence – didn’t sit right with the Indian fans. While some were left fuming and were certain that it was not out, others pointed out that the benefit of doubt should have gone to the batsman as it wasn’t clear that it was a clean catch.
Here are some of the tweets from Indian fans slamming the third umpire over Cameron Green’s controversial catch:
Australia set India a massive target of 444 runs
Australia have all but batted India out of the Test match having set them a colossal target of 444 runs in the fourth innings on a pitch that has shown plenty of inconsistent bounce and is starting to help spinners.
Australia started the day with a lead of 296 runs. Umesh Yadav dismissed Marnus Labuschagne early in the morning, however, Alex Carey and Cameron Green kept the Indian bowlers at bay for most of the first session, until Green got out to Ravindra Jadeja. After lunch, Carey brought up his fifty, taking Australia’s lead past 400 runs. Some late hits from Mitchell Starc helped Australia get quick runs at the end and set India a gigantic target with about 130 overs left in the game.
