Kumar Dharmasena Controversy: Umpire Kumar Dharmasena faces backlash after signaling inside edge, stopping England from burning their review vs India. Fans call it unfair umpiring.
Umpire’s mid-appeal signal sparks debate as fans accuse bias in India vs England match
What Happened During the Match?
During a tense moment in the ongoing India vs England cricket match, a massive controversy broke out involving Sri Lankan umpire Kumar Dharmasena. The English team made a loud and confident LBW appeal against an Indian batter. But just as they were about to go for the DRS (Decision Review System), Dharmasena signaled an inside edge—effectively saving England from burning their review.
This incident has sparked outrage online, especially among Indian cricket fans who believe the umpire’s action was unsporting and partial.
Why Are Fans Angry?
Many netizens felt that Dharmasena helped England unfairly. According to cricket rules, umpires are not supposed to give hints or gestures unless they are making an official on-field decision. But here, even though Dharmasena gave no out signal, he appeared to gesture the presence of an inside edge, leading England to withhold their review.
Fans believe:
England would have wasted their review had Dharmasena not gestured.
His action may have influenced the game unfairly.
Such gestures are not part of standard umpiring protocol.
Also Read – Free Fire Max M14.
Viral Reaction: What Social Media Is Saying
After the clip was posted on platforms like X (formerly Twitter) by pages such as @RVCJ_FB, the post quickly went viral. Cricket fans from India and around the world flooded the comments with:
Accusations of bias.
Demands for ICC action.
Screenshots pointing out the moment of the gesture.
Heated debates between Indian and English fans.
Many users shared the incident with hashtags like #KumarDharmasena, #EngvsInd, and #UnfairUmpiring.
Has This Happened Before?
Yes. Kumar Dharmasena has faced criticism in the past, especially during World Cup matches where a few of his controversial decisions went against India or favored England. In fact, during the 2019 World Cup Final, he was heavily scrutinized for a mistaken overthrow decision that gave England extra runs against New Zealand.
This adds to the belief among fans that Dharmasena might have a bias or habit of making borderline calls.
The Importance of DRS and Umpiring Neutrality
In modern cricket, the DRS system gives teams the power to challenge on-field umpire decisions. However, the review is limited—each team gets only a couple of chances per innings. If a team burns one on a poor call, they’re at a disadvantage for future big moments.
This is why umpires must stay strictly neutral. Any subtle hint—no matter how small—can impact the game in a big way.
What Could the ICC Do?
The International Cricket Council (ICC) hasn’t commented yet, but if the pressure continues, they may:
Review the footage internally.
Issue a clarification or warning.
Update umpire training to discourage mid-appeal gestures.
Cricket Experts’ Opinions
Some say:
“Dharmasena might have tried to do the right thing, but it wasn’t professional. Let the players decide on reviews.”
Others argue:
“This isn’t the first time he’s made such questionable calls. The ICC must ensure umpires are held accountable.”
Former cricketers:
Some ex-players have spoken out, saying umpires should maintain poker faces unless asked officially or after their decision. Anything else creates confusion and questions integrity.
Why This Incident Feels Bigger Than It Is
In a high-stakes game between India and England—two of the most watched teams in global cricket—every ball matters. One small gesture or missed chance could change the course of the match.
Cricket fans are passionate, and moments like these:
Hurt their trust in neutral umpiring.
Fuel online hate and trolling.
Create long-term narratives about unfair treatment.
FAQs: Kumar Dharmasena Controversy
Q1: Who is Kumar Dharmasena?
He is a former Sri Lankan cricketer and now a professional international cricket umpire. He has officiated in multiple World Cup matches.
Q2: What did he do during the India vs England match?
He signaled an inside edge during a loud LBW appeal from England, helping them avoid using a review, which has led to massive criticism.
Q3: Is signaling inside the edge allowed?
No. While umpires can share this with the third umpire during DRS, they are not supposed to hint anything before a decision is made or a review is taken.
Q4: What are fans demanding?
Many fans are asking for the ICC to look into the matter, issue a statement, and ensure fairness in all future matches.
Q5: Has Kumar Dharmasena been in controversy before?
Yes, including during the 2019 World Cup Final, where his decision gave England crucial runs, changing the outcome of the match.
Final Thoughts: Kumar Dharmasena Controversy?
The role of an umpire is not just to make decisions—it’s to create a fair and unbiased playing field. While it might seem like a small thing, a hand gesture during a review call can influence a team’s judgment and, ultimately, the match result.
Kumar Dharmasena Controversy may not have had bad intentions—but intent doesn’t erase impact. In the age of technology, transparency, consistency, and professionalism matter more than ever.