Daryl Mitchell dismissal raises massive DRS controversy in Auckland T20I against India

Daryl Mitchell was in the centre of a massive Decision Review System (DRS) controversy during the Auckland Twenty20 International between India and New Zealand. Mitchell, who made his debut in the first game in Wellington, was given out LBW to Krunal Pandya in the seventh over and he opted for the review. Replays showed there was an inside edge and there was a mark on hotspot. However, when it came to the use of the Real Time Snicko, there was no spike and the onfield decision of out stayed. Mitchell was stunned and he refused to go, clearly believing that there was an inside edge. The onfield umpires had a chat and the situation became even tense when the Indian cricket team got involved. MS Dhoni was having a chat with the officials and Kane Williamson, the New Zealand skipper while Rohit Sharma had a confused look.

After a delay of two to three minutes, Mitchell was given the marching orders but the decision by third umpire Shaun Haig raised big questions on the need of a conclusive evidence to overturn the decision. Hotspot showed mark as the ball passed the bat and onto the pad. However, with Real Time Snicko not showing a spike, the third umpire decided to go with evidence based on RTS and Mitchell was given the marching orders. The only way Mitchell would have stayed on the wicket was if Rohit Sharma had withdrawn the appeal. 

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The decision resulted in the match commentators lashing out at the third umpire. Simon Doull called the decision 'horrendous' and said there was a clear inside edge. Doull was virtually seething and he was joined by other New Zealand commentators. The rules are clear: Without proper evidence, the on-field umpire’s decision stays and the benefit of doubt goes to the umpire. Third umpire haig chose to go with evidence from RTS and not from Hotspot.

Writing on his official Twitter handle, cricket expert Harsha Bhogle said, "Once the DRS messed it up there was no solution other than asking the batsman to leave. The 3rd umpire has preferred snicko over hot spot. We haven't heard the last of this. I can understand if the 3rd umpire says the two resolution methods are in conflict and so I will go with the on-field decision. But he doesn't say that."

New Zealand won the toss and chose to bat but they were jolted by three wickets from Krunal Pandya. Kane Williamson's side lead the series 1-0 after a record 80-run win in the Wellington T20I.

HIGHLIGHTS

• New Zealand beat India by 80 runs in the Wellington ODI.
• Hotspot showed a mark but RTS showed a flat line in the Mitchell dismissal.
• India have not yet won a T20I in New Zealand.