Ravichandran Ashwin Slams Paul Reiffel’s Umpiring in Lord’s Test: “Whenever He’s There, India Won’t Win”
Veteran Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has strongly criticized Australian umpire Paul Reiffel for what he perceives as consistent bias in officiating during the ongoing Lord’s Test between India and England. Ashwin, speaking on his YouTube channel ‘Ash Ki Baat’, expressed deep frustration over a series of controversial decisions and questioned Reiffel’s impartiality — especially in matches involving India.
“Whenever India bowls, he always feels it’s not out. Whenever India bats, he always feels it’s out,” said Ashwin, clearly unimpressed with Reiffel’s performance in the high-stakes match under the Tendulkar-Anderson Trophy.
Shubman Gill’s Dismissal Fuels the Fire
The debate around Reiffel’s umpiring reignited after he gave Shubman Gill out caught behind on Day 2 — a decision that was overturned on DRS, as replays showed a significant gap between bat and ball. The incident triggered outrage on social media, with fans and pundits accusing Reiffel of being overly quick to rule against Indian batters.
Legendary spinner Anil Kumble also weighed in during commentary, suggesting that Reiffel had made up his mind to rule “not out” on any close Indian LBW appeals, regardless of merit.
Ashwin’s Bold Allegations
Ashwin went on to share a personal anecdote to illustrate the depth of distrust surrounding Reiffel’s presence on the field:
“My father was watching the match with me and he said, ‘Whenever Paul Reiffel comes, India will not win.’”
He added that the inconsistencies in 50-50 decisions should be examined by the ICC, especially to determine whether the trend affects only India or other teams as well.
“If it’s not just against India but all teams, then ICC needs to look into it,” Ashwin asserted, calling for systemic accountability in umpiring standards.
Umpire’s Call Under Fire
While DRS is designed to reduce human error, the ‘umpire’s call’ clause in LBW decisions means that on-field umpires still hold significant influence, especially in tight situations. Several such calls during the Lord’s Test — some marginal, some glaring — have left Indian fans and players feeling shortchanged.
Paul Reiffel’s Career in Numbers
A former Australian cricketer, Paul Reiffel has been umpiring since 2008 and has officiated in:
- 111 Test matches
- 159 ODIs
- 50 T20 Internationals
Despite his long-standing career, this latest controversy has intensified calls for greater transparency and accountability in umpiring decisions at the highest level.
As the Test heads for a tense finish, the spotlight remains not only on the players but also on the men with the whistle.
