Ravi Ashwin Criticises Umpire Paul Reiffel: 'He Never Gives It Out When India Is Bowling'

Former Indian cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin has openly expressed his concern over some umpiring decisions made by Paul Reiffel during the third Test match between India and England at Lord’s. Ashwin believes that Reiffel’s decisions often go against India when they are bowling and tend to favour the opposition.

Ashwin Slames Reiffel

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ashwin said he has noticed a pattern in Reiffel’s decisions. "I’m not saying he should rule every appeal in our favour, but it always feels like when India is bowling, he doesn’t think it’s out. But when we are batting, he thinks it’s out. If this is not just with India, the ICC should look into it," Ashwin said.

Key Decisions That Sparked Debate

Ashwin highlighted two moments in the match: one when Mohammed Siraj’s LBW appeal against Joe Root was turned down and another when Shubman Gill was wrongly given out caught behind. In Siraj’s case, a review showed the ball clipping the stumps, but Root survived due to the “umpire’s call” rule. For Gill, the ball passed well away from the bat, but he was still given out. A review overturned the decision.

Ashwin added, “While watching the match with me, my father remarked, ‘Whenever Paul Reiffel is umpiring, India finds it hard to win.’” He even joked, “The gap between Gill’s bat and the ball was so wide, I could easily park my car in it.

Others Back Ashwin’s Comments

Ashwin is not the only one raising concerns. Former India cricketer Anil Kumble also criticised Reiffel. “It looks like he had made up his mind not to give anything out,” Kumble said. English commentators like Mike Atherton and Nasser Hussain also noted that the umpires could have been stricter with players taking too much time between deliveries.