On Day 4 of the second Test in New Delhi, Indian star fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah was convinced he had dismissed West Indies batter John Campbell. Bumrah struck Campbell on the pads directly in front of the stumps.
Suspecting an inside edge, the umpire initially ruled in the batter`s favor, but India opted to use the Decision Review System (DRS). The ball`s trajectory suggested it would have hit the stumps, but the third umpire could not find conclusive evidence of the ball making contact with the bat before hitting the pad.
Despite numerous replays, the umpire could not definitively determine if the ball had touched the inside edge of the bat before striking the pad. Consequently, the on-field umpire`s decision stood, and Campbell survived.
Walking back, frustrated that a technological limitation had potentially robbed him of a deserved wicket, Bumrah candidly shared his thoughts with the umpire. “You know it`s out, but the technology can`t prove it,” Bumrah reportedly told the umpire, his comment clearly picked up by the stump mic at the bowling end.
Commentators echoed Bumrah`s sentiment, yet with no definitive evidence, the decision could not be overturned.
Campbell capitalized on this reprieve, going on to score his maiden Test century. However, a few overs later, the left-hander was eventually dismissed by spinner Ravindra Jadeja, who trapped him leg before wicket. This time, the umpire`s decision favored India. Although Campbell chose to review the call, there was no second lifeline for him.
Before his departure, Campbell significantly improved West Indies` position from when he first came to the crease. In their first innings, the tourists were bowled out for 248 runs after India had declared at 518/5. India enforced the follow-on, but West Indies showed considerable improvement in their second innings.
