The first match of the three-match ODI series between India and New Zealand was played in Hyderabad on Wednesday, January 18. India’s star all-rounder Hardik Pandya couldn’t provide anything special to the team as he got out after scoring only 21 runs. New Zealand all-rounder Daryl Mitchell took the wicket of Pandya. However, there was a ruckus regarding Pandya’s dismissal.
Many fans, cricket experts and even Pandya’s wife Natasa Stankovic were questioning the decision of the third umpire. The incident happened in the 40th over of the first innings. In that over, Hardik was completely gutted in the process of hitting a cut shot off Mitchell’s delivery, after which the bails lit up. The Blackcaps appealed, due to which the on-field umpires thought it would be right to go to the third umpire for the decision.
Pandya’s wife Natasa took to Instagram and posted a story, expressing her displeasure over her husband’s controversial dismissal. She posted ” There was no bat involved, wasn’t bowled out. So how’s this out?”. Her post went viral on social media.
Shubman Gill smashed a double ton in the first ODI
However, it was clearly visible in the slow-motion footage that the ball did not hit the stumps. Wicketkeeper Tom Latham flicked the bails while collecting the ball behind the wicket, which lit up the stumps. Latham’s gloves were too close to the stumps. But the third umpire felt that it had nothing to do with the dismissal. Pandya shared a 74-run partnership with Shubman Gill before getting out. Notably, the TV umpire took a long time before giving the verdict.
Talking about the match, India opted to bat first after winning the toss and scored 349 runs for eight wickets in 50 overs. Gill plated a memorable inning of 208 runs off just 149 balls. The 23-year-old completed his double century by hitting three consecutive sixes. He smashed 19 fours and 9 sixes during his inning. Gill became the fifth Indian batter to hit a double ton in ODIs. India are currently ahead by 1-0 in the ODI series. Both teams will play the second ODI on Saturday, January 21 at Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in Raipur.
