India vs New Zealand: Rohit Sharma and Sarfaraz Khan talk to umpires.©Twitter
Indian fielder Sarfaraz Khan was warned by the umpires in the presence of skipper Rohit Sharma on Friday for chirping even when the ball was in play during New Zealand's first innings in the third and final Test of the 2024 series in the Wankhede Stadium. Referee Richard Illingworth called on Sarfaraz and Rohit and the three had a long, animated discussion before the 32nd over of the innings. The umpires were apparently displeased as Sarfaraz, who played close to the bat, engaged in verbal abuse even as the ball became live.
Virat Kohli joined the discussion and added his two-bit while Rohit Sharma defended Sarfaraz. It appeared that New Zealand batsman Daryl Mitchell had complained to the umpires about the excessive chirping of Sarfaraz, who was playing in the short leg or dumb point region.
The Indians were told to limit the banter, especially when the ball was still alive, and it was clear that Rohit eventually agreed when he and Mitchell bumped fists after the discussion ended.
With Mitchell and Will Young holding the fort for New Zealand, sharing a half-century partnership, it was clear the Indians were looking to break their concentration with some well-aimed verbal volleys. For most of the time, the New Zealand batters kept a straight face before Mitchell took on the umpires.
Earlier, India had taken three New Zealand wickets in the morning session after Tom Latham won the toss and elected to bat first on a Wankhede wicket that started offering its turn soon after the first hour.
Washington Sundar claimed two wickets after Akash Deep made the breakthrough by sending back Devon Conway (4) in the fourth over, Sundar cast Latham with one that went straight after landing on the off-stump and then accounted for in almost identical fashion with Rachin Ravindra , this time the ball turned slightly to avoid the batsman's defensive jab and clipped the stump.
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