Bishan Bedi lambasts Shubman Gill over the umpiring row; demands for his removal as India A captain

Shubman Gill is drawing a lot of ire from both fans as well as pundits and former cricketers for his heated altercation with one of the onfield official on the first morning of the Round 04 Elite Group A & B fixture between Punjab and Delhi in Mohali. 

It so happened that Gill, after having been given out by the umpire refused to leave his ground before proceeding to engage in a heated altercation with the official. Following a ten-minute delay, the decision was overturned. However, that did not go down well with the Delhi side as they proceeded to threaten to walk out of the ground. However, a timely intervention by the match-referee ensured that the game once again resumed shortly thereafter.

On Friday, the Delhi and District Association secretary had said that the ‘matter ended there’ and the organisation will not be lodging any complaint against Gill. However, on Saturday, former Indian captain Bishan Singh Bedi lambasted the precocious young talent for his behaviour while also demanding the removal of the Punjab opener from the captaincy of the India A team, which is set to tour New Zealand later this month.

“This kind of rowdy behaviour by anyone is unpardonable – least of all by proposed Capt of India A. No matter how talented no player was ever bigger than the game – example needs setting – let a more balanced person lead India A before the Referee’s intimidated too!” Bishan Singh Bedi, former Indian captain, posted on Twitter.

Dear ⁦@BishanBedi⁩ Sir, should not ⁦@BCCI⁩ educate gifted youngsters to respect the umpires? pic.twitter.com/USxYl1NZJg

— Vijay Lokapally (@vijaylokapally) January 4, 2020

Gill is set to lead India A on the tour of New Zealand

The overturned decision did not help Gill though, as he was dismissed for a 41-ball 23 shortly thereafter. Meanwhile, Delhi coach Munish Bali had also criticized Gill for his behaviour.

According to Bali, what Gill did was unacceptable, even if he is playing for the national side, besides also demanding for him to be charged with a Level II offence.

“This is quite unacceptable. If someone is playing for India it doesn’t mean that he has got the right to intimidate an umpire. Showing dissent is a different thing but trying to intimidate an on-field umpire is way over the top. He should be charged with level II offense for his conduct. This is Ranji Trophy, not a joke,” Bhaskar told TOI after the day’s play.

Meanwhile, Shubman Gill is set to lead India A in a couple of tour games followed by three One-dayers on the tour of New Zealand.

@vijaylokapally & @BCCI-this kind o rowdy behaviour by anyone is unpardonable-least o all by proposed Capt o India A-no matter how talented no player was ever bigger than the game-example needs setting-let a more balanced person lead India A before the Referee’s intimidated too!

— Bishan Bedi (@BishanBedi) January 4, 2020