India vs New Zealand, 1976. The First Test is notoriously remembered for umpiring blunders and . After gaining a significant lead in the first innings, Indian bowlers looked to close the game in the second innings. However, the umpires kept turning down their appeals.
Be it LBW or bat-pad catches, no appeal returned a positive decision from the umpire in favour of the visiting side. It even reached a point where the crowd kept chanting “home rules apply, boys”.
Indian bowlers were obviously frustrated. Their patience was running out. Then Chandrashekhar clean bowled Ken Wardsworth and went up in a loud appeal. The umpire was perplexed and said “But he is bowled”. To this, Chandra replied
“I know he is bowled, but is he out?”
That’s one way to express your frustration. Cricket fortunately was more progressive back then. Chandra’s comment was taken in a light humorous spirit. He ended with stellar figures of 8 for 76, leading India to a memorable win. It was their first overseas Test victory since The Oval in 1971.
And the historic sledge, or rather the dig, got etched in the minds of the Indian cricket fans.
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