Twitter reactions: Tom Latham 'not-out' decision causes confusion and frustration

India’s KL Rahul and Tom Latham were involved in an umpiring confusion on day two of the ongoing 1st at the Green park Stadium, Kanpur. The incident happened during post the lunch session when the umpire turned down India’s appeal for a short leg catch.

After restricting India to 318 in the first innings of the first Test, New Zealand batsman batted well against Indian bowlers. They progressed pretty steadily after losing the wicket of Martin Guptill at the score of 35.

Skipper Kane Williamson and opener Tom Latham combined together and steered the visitors to a comfortable position in the game. The Indian bowlers faced some real contest from the Kiwis.

Everything was going smoothly until the 37th over arrived. Tom Latham was successfully neutering the Indian spinners with his sweeping tactics. He was quite successful and was heading towards his fifty before the same tactic brought him under the danger of getting out.

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Latham attempted a sweep shot off the bowling of Jadeja. The ball hit the bat and scooped up to the short leg fielder KL Rahul, who after fumbling a bit somehow managed to grab it. There was a huge appeal. On-field umpire Richard Kettle Borough chose to seek the help of the third umpire Anil Chaudhary.

The replays indicated that the ball was clearly touching grill of Rahul’s helmet and as per the rule, if the ball touches any part of helmet then the decision will be given not out and something similar happened here as well.

As per the laws of the game, specifically Law 32, the rule states that a catch can be deemed fair only if the ball embraces the body of the catcher or gets lodged accidentally into his clothing or into the pads, as it could be the case in certain situations with a wicket-keeper.

It took some time for the third umpire to deliver his decision as he made sure that there are no confusion and eventually ruled the decision in the favour of the Black Caps. Latham was declared not out by the third umpire, which disappointed the Indian dressing room.

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The twitter also actively participated in the debate and gave their opinion.

Close call! Tom Latham survives after the ball hits the grille of KL Rahul’s helmet at short leg Paytm Test Cricket #INDvNZ pic.twitter.com/fCUSIEUJFk

— BCCI (@BCCI) September 23, 2016

Well, I watched the KL Rahul catch's replay. What's wrong in that? It's fine. Should've given out.#INDvNZ

— Jaanvi ? (@ThatCricketGurl) September 23, 2016

Extra caution can be dangerous too #JustSaying #KLRahul #IndvsNZ

— Monica (@monicas004) September 23, 2016

Oh KL! Rahul Ridiculous Effort Man ??

— Ŝαιуααяα! (@BeingKushSharma) September 23, 2016

How beautifully Kane Williamson & Tom Latham has played so far on this spin track of Kanpur

— Shahzaib Ali (@DSBcricket) September 23, 2016

Kane Williamson & Tom Latham on cusp of one of @BLACKCAPS grittiest subcontinental partnerships. 100 unbeaten runs for 2nd wicket. #indvnz

— Andrew Alderson (@aldersonnotes) September 23, 2016

Interesting. Tom Latham sweeps onto his boot & into hands of short square leg. But has it hit Rahul on his grill? It has & not out! #INDvNZ

— Natalie Germanos ? (@NatalieGermanos) September 23, 2016

Bizarre survival by Tom Latham, the ball hits Rahul's helmet strap, the ball becomes dead

— Sineletu (@Sine12_ruga) September 23, 2016

Tom Latham survives. A good decision in the end though. #indvsnz

— Hassan Ali (@HADilawri) September 23, 2016

Its not been a great day for KL rahul in the field today! #IndvsNZ #kanpurTest

— neeru bhatia (@neerubhatia3) September 23, 2016