R Ashwin slams Paul Reiffel and urges ICC to take action

Ravichandran Ashwin remarks something about Paul Reiffel, the on-field umpire during the Lord’s Test between India and England.

Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin slammed on-field umpire Paul Reiffel of the Lord’s Test between India and England. He didn’t hold back from remarking on him during the match. Reiffel has been at the centre of a massive controversy after he turned down Mohammed Siraj’s LBW appeal against Joe Root. Reiffel did not raise his finger, and India opted to go for a review.

R Ashwin slams on-field umpire Paul Reiffel.

During the Lord’s Test between India and England, on-field umpire Paul Reiffel didn’t raise his finger, turning down Mohammed Siraj’s LBW appeal against Joe Root. However, replays showed that the ball would have hit the leg stump, but the former England captain survived owing to the umpire’s call. This resulted in Siraj giving Reiffel an angry stare. Former India Test captain Anil Kumble also stated on air that it seems that the former Australian cricketer has decided not to raise his finger whenever there is a close call.

Reiffel gave an out to India captain Shubman Gill.

Reiffel then gave an out to India captain Shubman Gill after England appealed loudly for a caught-behind off the bowling of Brydon Carse. However, the replay showed that the ball was nowhere close to Gill’s bat, and thus, he got a lifeline. But, a few overs later, he was given an out after being bowled by Carse.

What did R Ashwin say on the matter?

Talking on his YouTube channel ‘Ash Ki Baat,’ he said, “My experience with Paul Reiffel, I want to talk to him. I am not saying that I should tell him to give it out. It’s not like that. Whenever India bowls, he always feels it’s not out. Whenever India bats, he always feels it’s out.” He added, “If it’s not against India but against all teams, then ICC has to look towards it.” Even for Gill’s caught behind verdict, he said there was a huge gap between bat and ball, and hence, he couldn’t believe why Reiffel felt the need to raise his finger. He said, “I own a car, a sedan, which I can park through the gap between the bat and ball. It’s clear it was not out. But this is not the first time. My father was watching the match with me.”

R Ashwin also added, “And he told me, ‘Whenever Paul Reiffel comes, India will not win.’ Even Mike Atherton and Nasser Hussain said the umpires could have acted a bit firmer with players taking time.”