Indian wicket-keeper Rishabh Pant has been caught up in a glove controversy during play in their third Test against England, with umpires forced to intervene due to the use of tape.
At the start of yesterday’s third session, captain Virat Kohli was seen removing what appeared to be medical tape, which was sticking together the ring and pinkie part of the wicket-keeper’s glove.
Webbing is only permitted between the index finger and thumb.
Making matters more difficult, England’s Dawid Malan was caught leg side by Pant on the final ball before the tea break.
When the vision emerged of Kohli removing the tape, Sky Sports commentators David Lloyd and Nasser Hussain were left asking some questions.
“There are lots in the laws of the game about the webbing but we’re hearing from the third umpire, Richard Illingworth, that he wasn’t allowed and he’s not allowed to tape his gloves like that, so they’ve asked him to take that tape off,” Hussain said.
Lloyd added: “It’s a very interesting point you made, when Dawid Malan was caught down the leg side did the wicket-keeper have that tape on his gloves? Is it a problem?”
While Pant removed the tape after the dismissal of Malan, it was confirmed later that the tape on the glove was used during the prior session.
“I’m guessing he’s had those gloves taped up all the way through,” Hussain added.
Currently, England lead India by 345 runs with two wickets in hand, asserting a dominant position in the Test. India currently leads the five-Test series, which has been punctuated by controversy, 1-0.
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