Did Kumar Dharmasena Influence a DRS Decision? Controversy Hits 5th Test at The Oval
A seemingly innocuous gesture from Sri Lankan umpire Kumar Dharmasena during Day 1 of the 5th Test between India and England has triggered widespread debate. A viral image appears to show Dharmasena signaling an inside edge to England’s bowler right before the Decision Review System (DRS) window closed. The incident has stirred questions about umpire neutrality and the integrity of instantaneous DRS decisions. Here’s an in‑depth examination.
The Incident Unfolds
- With India at 72/2 during the first innings and before an early lunch break due to rain, England bowed for an LBW appeal against Sai Sudharsan, who was struck on the pads by Josh Tongue.
- Dharmasena, standing at square leg, rejected the appeal. Before the 15-second DRS window expired, the umpire appeared to make a subtle hand signal—suggestive of confirmation that there had indeed been an inside edge.
- Seeing the cue, England captain Ollie Pope reportedly opted not to review, preserving one future referral. This immediately drew speculation: could Dharmasena’s non-verbal indication have swayed the decision?
Why It Matters
1. Question of Neutrality
- Umpires are expected to remain impartial—not merely on-field officers, but guardians of trust. By appearing to guide a captain’s DRS decision, even unintentionally, Dharmasena entered architectural gray zones.
2. DRS Integrity at Stake
- DRS is designed to correct umpiring errors, not become predictable based on hand gestures. A visible gesture, especially to a fielding side, erodes belief in its fairness.
3. Series Context
- The India vs England series waged heated controversies—from Jadeja refusing Stokes’ handshake draw offer to disputes over ball condition, pitch access, and umpiring consistency.
- Dharmasena has previous DRS missteps in earlier series—highlighting a worrying pattern of errors or ambiguous guidance.
Broader History of Dharmasena & DRS Issues
- The umpire previously attracted attention during the 2019 World Cup final, when he awarded six runs for overthrows instead of five—impacting the final equation. He later shrugged off criticism, citing poor visibility and lack of replays.
- Not the first time his decisions drew heat: during a 2014 England-Bangladesh Test, 8 of his 16 decisions were overturned via DRS, triggering long-term criticism.
Such incidents have cast a shadow over his reputation in high-stakes matches, especially involving India and England.
What On-Field Experts Are Saying
- Though Dharmasena has not commented publicly on the day’s gesture, former umpires and experts suggest that non-verbal cues undermine DRS confidence.
- Michael Vaughan, among others, has previously proposed that the DRS room should be more transparent—including visible calls and speaker audio—to restore trust.
- Test-savvy commentators have warned that a single visible gesture can inadvertently signal players—compromising review decisions under pressure.
Timeline of Controversial DRS Calls in This Series
| Match / Situation | Incident | Implication |
|---|---|---|
| 5th Test Day 1 (Oval) | Dharmasena appears to signal inside edge before DRS | England captain avoids reviewing |
| 4th Test (Manchester) | Multiple DRS debates and frustrated team response | Jezaled discourse over fairness and lengths |
| 2nd & 3rd Tests (Mohali/Rajkot) | Dharmasena miscommunication in third umpire seat | Previous DRS confusion reported |
(Umpire’s history adds weight to present skepticism.)
Cricketing Takeaway
While there’s no evidence of bias, this incident highlights how even subtle gestures can influence the game at critical moments. In high-pressure contests, umpires must shield the game from perception risk—visual signals, whether well-intended or not, threaten DRS’s credibility.
Moving forward:
- ICC might need to revisit umpire training for DRS-related communication.
- Teams may become wary of relying on umpire cues for future referrals—preferring to judge independently.
- Independent further oversight or transparency mechanisms may now be considered essential.
Kumar Dharmasena’s gesture during India’s innings on Day 1 at The Oval has created a storm—one that’s less about a single decision and more about how subtle reception by fielding teams can influence DRS calls. In a series already rife with drama, this moment underlines how crucial impartial nuance is in a Test match environment—and how fragile the off-field trust remains.
Umpires aren’t just rule enforcers—they are custodians of perception. And in modern cricket, perception can be as consequential as any delivery.
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