Dead ball in Test cricket: Ishant Sharma survives hit-wicket dismissal on dead ball in Chennai Test

Ishant Sharma survives hit-wicket: The Indian fast bowler was initially supposed to be out hit-wicket at the MA Chidambaram Stadium.

During the fifth day of the first Test of the ongoing England’s tour of India in Chennai, India fast bowler Ishant Sharma survived a hit-wicket dismissal after it was learnt that appeal against him was done on a dead ball.

The unusual incident happened on the penultimate delivery of the 57th over when Sharma uncomfortably defended a Jofra Archer short delivery off the back foot.

Considering how a bail fell down with the off-stump getting deflected, the English players were confident of picking the last Indian wicket in one of the most unexpected manners.

Given the uncertainty around the dismissal, square leg umpire Anil Chaudhary referred the decision to third umpire C. Shamshuddin. Upon watching the replay, it was confirmed that the bail had fallen down even before the delivery was bowled. While the exact reason behind the same was supposed to be wind, it was declared as a dead ball.

Chasing a 420-run target, India were bundled out for 192 in 58.1 overs as England won by 227 runs to gain a 1-0 lead in the four-match series. Having scored 72 (104) with the help of nine fours, India captain Virat Kohli top-scored for the hosts in what was otherwise a disappointing batting effort.

England spinner Jack Leach, who was taken to the cleaners by India wicket-keeper batsman Rishabh Pant in the first innings, picked bowling figures of 26-4-76-4 to be the pick of the English bowlers in the second innings. Apart from Leach, veteran pacer James Anderson also bowled exceedingly well to pick figures of 11-4-17-3.

Ishant Sharma survives hit-wicket

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