IND W vs AUS W: Sharjah erupts in boos, Indian fans angry over 3rd umpire's decision to overturn OUT call

It wouldn’t be an India vs Australia game without some drama. In Match 18 of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024, during the 16.2 over, Deepti Sharma was elated when the on-field umpire gave Phoebe Litchfield out. The batter had almost walked off when her batting partner, Ellyse Perry, urged her to go for a review.

While Deepti bowled, Litchfield turned around and looked for the reverse or switch hit, but the ball had pitched outside the leg stump for a left-hander, meaning she should not be out for LBW. However, the Indian team argued that since Litchfield switched hands and turned in her stance, she should be considered a right-hander.

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Smriti Mandhana was seen explaining this to on-field umpire Sue Redfern while the third umpire reviewed the replay and confirmed that the ball had indeed pitched outside the leg stump, ruling her not out.

According to MCC: 36.3 - Off side of wicket law saved Phoebe Litchfield The off side of the striker’s wicket shall be determined by the striker’s batting position at the moment the ball comes into play for that delivery.

India believed that after the initial decision was not out, their second check would lead to an overturn, but they had no luck. The crowd in Sharjah, supporting the Women in Blue, had been chanting "OUT, OUT" but quickly turned to booing the umpires after the decision. Many on X (formerly known as Twitter) also questioned the umpiring decision.

That's a stupid 3rd umpire decision.

— thottamla (@Thottamla) October 13, 2024

Are ye 3rd class umpire bitha rkha ac me dimag khrab hogya iska

— rezhu (@reshu420) October 13, 2024

Kaun bewakoof hai yeh 3rd umpire. Why is this pitching outside leg? She changed her stance

— ParteekNotPrateek (@randomcricfacts) October 13, 2024

Pitching outside? Wtf?? Who is thos 3rd Umpire?

— Aditya Saha (@Adityakrsaha) October 13, 2024

As of now, after 20 overs, Australia posted 151 runs on the board and lost 8 wickets. India will have to chase down this total in as few overs as possible to keep their Net Run Rate (NRR) high and have a good chance of making it to the Top 4.

Both teams are facing injury challenges. Australia is missing their captain, Alyssa Healy (acute right foot injury), and Tayla Vlaeminck (right shoulder dislocation). Meanwhile, the Women in Blue have lost Asha Sobhana, who rolled her ankle while warming up just after the toss. Radha Yadav has been named as her replacement.

Cricket Australia have provided an update on the status of Alyssa Healy 🗞

🔗: https://t.co/eOBNIV9TlK#INDvAUS #T20WorldCup #WhateverItTakes pic.twitter.com/uU1vhEguQz

— T20 World Cup (@T20WorldCup) October 13, 2024

Teams:

Australia Women (Playing XI): Beth Mooney(w), Grace Harris, Ellyse Perry, Ashleigh Gardner, Phoebe Litchfield, Tahlia McGrath(c), Georgia Wareham, Annabel Sutherland, Sophie Molineux, Megan Schutt, Darcie Brown

India Women (Playing XI): Shafali Verma, Smriti Mandhana, Harmanpreet Kaur(c), Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh(w), Deepti Sharma, Pooja Vastrakar, Arundhati Reddy, Shreyanka Patil, Radha Yadav, Renuka Thakur Singh

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