Former India cricketers Sunil Gavaskar and Irfan Pathan criticised the role of on-field umpires on Day 1 of the fourth Test between India and Australia in Melbourne after the likes of Sam Konstas and Marnus Labuschagne were found running on the pitch.
It came to light when India captain Rohit Sharma warned Labuschagne not to run on the pitch. Gavaskar and Pathan, both of whom are on commentating duties, questioned the umpires’ role in the matter, thus pointing out the infringement.
“Rohit Sharma is telling Marnus Labuschagne to not run on the pitch…This is the job of umpire (to warn batters),” Pathan said. Soon, Gavaskar, pointed out that Konstas was guilty too.
“And Sam Konstas was doing the same. If you would’ve watched Sam Konstas, he was running on the pitch and nobody warned him,” the legendary cricketer said. “…they (umpires) are just watching Rohit and Labuschagne having a chat. Look, the umpire is just watching.”
