Paul Reiffel alleged as “Anti-India Bias” after his umpiring decisions during the recent Lord’s Test. Former Indian cricketers spoke out against his calls during the match. The IND vs ENG 3rd Test created fresh debates about fair umpiring in cricket.
What Made Indian Players Question?
R Ashwin and Anil Kumble criticized Paul Reiffel’s decisions throughout the match. They noticed patterns in his calls that seemed unfair to India. Joe Root stayed not out on a ball that clearly hit his leg stump.
“My experience with Paul Reiffel… You need to talk to him. You need to set him up. I am not saying that you ask him to give it out. But he has this thing… whenever India bowl, he feels it’s not out, whenever India bat, he feels it’s out. If this is happening not just against India but against every team, then the ICC needs to look at the umpiring,” Ashwin said.
Shubman Gill got dismissed on a decision that teams later overturned on review. Ashwin pointed out that Reiffel makes bad calls when India bowls. He also gives favorable decisions when India bats, according to the spinner.
Kumble agreed with these concerns and said close calls favored England too often. The match had 11 reviews in total, which shows how many decisions teams questioned. India won only one review out of several attempts during important moments.
“It seems Paul Reiffel has decided that it is not going to be out. Anything close, not out,” Kumble said.
The Numbers Tell a Different Story
Statistics reveal surprising facts about why Paul Reiffel alleged as “Anti-India Bias” claims. India actually wins 58% of matches when Reiffel officiates across all formats. The Decision Review System shows 52.38% of umpire calls favor India against his decisions.
These numbers contradict what former players believe about his umpiring style. The data suggests India performs well under his officiating in most games. Many fans still feel his recent decisions were questionable during crucial moments.
What This Means for Cricket
The IND vs ENG 3rd Test controversy highlights ongoing umpiring debates in modern cricket. Players react emotionally to bad calls, especially during important matches like this one. The ICC needs to address these concerns to maintain trust in the game.
Paul Reiffel alleged as “Anti-India Bias” shows how one match can change opinions quickly. Statistics support him, but recent decisions created doubt among Indian cricket fans. Future matches will test whether this controversy affects his umpiring appointments.
Also Read: IND vs ENG 3rd Test: ‘Players aren’t robots’, Broad Criticizes Siraj’s Fine, Questions ICC Hypocrisy
The gap between emotions and facts creates confusion about fair officiating in cricket. Players want consistent decisions, while numbers suggest umpires perform better than people think.
