In an intense final session of the 1st Test between India and New Zealand at Bengaluru’s Chinnaswamy Stadium, the umpires called for play to be halted due to bad light. New Zealand, needing just 107 runs to win, had faced only four deliveries from Jasprit Bumrah before the umpires intervened. However, Rohit Sharma and the Indian team weren’t ready to leave the field, making it clear that they wanted to continue.
Rohit Sharma, fully aware of the tricky phase for New Zealand’s batters, was visibly frustrated with the decision. Both Rohit and Virat Kohli were seen adamantly pointing to the sky, challenging the umpires’ call to stop play. There were even suggestions that Rohit might ask Bumrah to switch to off-spin or bring in Ravichandran Ashwin to bowl, as slower deliveries can sometimes be allowed in bad light conditions.
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma unhappy with umpire's decision to pause play due to bad light pic.twitter.com/GnXOWuY25G
— Pari (@BluntIndianGal) October 19, 2024
The situation unfolded with the umpires converging to check the light reading with a meter. Based on the light reading taken earlier on Day 2, they declared it unsafe to continue as the current reading had dipped below the benchmark. A large dark cloud had dimmed the light over the ground, and the umpires, after checking both ends, signaled for play to stop. Meanwhile, New Zealand openers Tom Latham and Devon Conway quietly walked off the field, eager to avoid any further pressure in such conditions.
kohli umpire se nahi ladna hye kal inki jarurat padegi… pic.twitter.com/ImP6umalyE
— Saurabh Raj (@sraj57454) October 19, 2024
Despite the team’s strong resistance to leaving the field, the rules of Test cricket were clear. According to the laws, umpires can call for bad light when they determine that the light conditions are insufficient for safe play. They base their decision on a light meter reading, which sets a benchmark that is used for the remainder of the match. If the light falls below this level, play must be halted.
The intensity didn’t just stop at the bad light decision. Earlier, India had already lost one Decision Review System (DRS) call after Bumrah trapped Latham with an inswinger. Despite a huge appeal, umpire Michael Gough, known for his accuracy, denied the LBW. Bumrah, however, was adamant and pushed for a review, but it was clear the ball had pitched outside leg, nullifying the appeal.
For now, India’s fight continues under difficult circumstances, but with New Zealand needing only 107 runs to win, and the light deteriorating, Rohit Sharma and the Indian team know that every delivery counts. Their determination to keep playing despite the poor light reflects the urgency of the situation, as they hope to make use of every opportunity to turn the game in their favor.
