India v England: Jack Leach compares review system to VAR
- Published
Spinner Leach is playing in his 14th Test for England
England Jack Leach jokingly compared the decision review system to VAR in football after two controversial decisions on day one of the second Test against India.
Rohit Sharma and Ajinkya Rahane survived DRS reviews off spinner Leach, with video replays suggesting they should have been given out.
Rohit hit 161 as India reached 300-6 at the close of play in Chennai.
"At the time I was a little bit angry," said Leach.
"It's a bit like VAR today. It's still controversial even though you've got the video stuff there."
The use of video assistant referee technology, which was introduced to the Premier League in the 2019-20 season, has been a topic of controversy in professional football.
'These things happen'
With Rahane on 66, England reviewed a decision by umpire Virender Sharma after an appeal for a catch at short-leg was given not out.
The decision was referred to TV umpire Anil Chaudhary, who appeared to only check the moment the ball passed Rahane's bat, before sticking to the on-field umpire's decision.
However, replays showed that the ball deflected off the pad and then glove before being caught by Ollie Pope.
England captain Joe Root seemed to ask the on-field umpire whether a full check was carried out.
"We were trying to get them to roll it through because we felt [the edge] came after," said Leach.
"They checked the lbw, which we knew wasn't out. It's obviously a mistake and these things happen."
Rahane added a further one run before being bowled by spinner Moeen Ali.
"Obviously I would have liked another wicket but it didn't cost us too much," said Leech, who ended the day with 2-78.
'The third umpire had a stinker'
Rohit (left) and Rahane shared a 162-run stand for the fourth wicket
All umpires officiating in the Test are from India, with the International Cricket Council making a decision to introduce 'home' umpires because of Covid-19.
Both teams also have three DRS reviews per innings - one more than usual in Tests featuring neutral umpires.
England's failed review was reinstated after the tourists spoke to match referee Javagal Srinath.
Former England captain Michael Vaughan, speaking on The Cricket Social, described the not-out decision as "inexcusable in this era of professional sport" and said the "third umpire had a stinker".
Earlier, Leach's appeal for a stumping, when Rohit was on 159, was also given not out and referred to Chaudhary.
Replays made it difficult to determine if Rohit's back foot was behind the line, although a reverse camera angle was not provided to the official.
Rohit added two more to his score before he swept Leach to Moeen at deep square leg.
Earlier, India captain Virat Kohli also refused to walk after being bowled by Moeen without scoring.
Kohli eventually left the field after a replay was shown on the big screen.
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